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History  of  the  churches  of 
Boston 


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-^2tA.^_^     , 


HISTORY 


OF    THE 


Churches  of  Boston 


GiVFXG    A    r-ULL   ACCOUXT,    IN    DENOMINATIONAL    DIVISIONS,    OF    ALL   THP:    ChL'RCH 
C)R(;A\I2:ATldNS    OF    IHF    CiTV,    FROM    THEIR    FORMATION    I'O    THE     PRESENT 

Ti.ME,    WITH    Dates    a\'d    Complete    Statistics;     compiled 

,     V.'ITH     GREAT     CARE     FROM     FIRST*   SOURCES. 


n/]'ISIO.Y     ONE: 

BAPTIST    AND    PRESBYTERIAN. 


EDITED    Y,\ 

JAM  ES    PIKE,    A.   B. 


BOSTON  : 

ECCLESIA    PUBLISHING    COMPANY, 


WARREN   J.    ROBINSON   &   CO. 

Printeus, 
i2g  State  St.,  I'.oston. 


PREFACE. 


In  a  practical  age,  in  which  actual  results  are  made  the  test  of  success,  it  is 
necessary,  it  should  seem,  to  say  but  very  little  in  introducing  to  a  public,  which 
is,  at  least  nominally.  Christian,  this  book  ;  whose  purpose  is  to  present  in  perma- 
nent form,  the  actual  result  and  condition  of  church  work  in  the  denominations 
represented.  Every  kind  and  branch  of  secular  industry  and  effort  has  had,  and 
still  has,  its  own  special  Historian,  or  even  several  of  them,  by  whom  are  placed 
on  record  full  annals  of  its  work.  But,  hitherto,  no  chronicler  of  the  status  of 
Christian  work  in  its  regular,  normal,  "trunk  "  line  of  action  has  appeared.  This 
gap  these  books  are  intended  to  fill. 

The  division  into  denominational  parts  has  been  considered  to  be  the  best, 
and  will  be  adhered  to  as  nearly  as  possible.  Sometimes,  as  in  this  division,  a 
denomination  has  not  enough  churches  in  a  city  to  form  a  division  by  itself,  when 
it  is  placed  with  another.  No  order  of  priority  has  been  recognized,  either  in  the 
selection  of  a  denomination  for  earlier  or  later  place,  or  in  that  of  the  single  his- 
tories in  the  individual  book.  In  this  regard,  readinesss  for  the  press,  or  some 
such  minor  circumstance,  has  been  the  only  guide.  In  important  respects,  all 
Christian  churches  are  held  to  be  equal,  and  their  records  prepared  with  com- 
l)lete  impartiality.  The  relative  fulness  and  perfectness  of  the  various  accounts 
have  been,  as  a  matter  of  course,  affected  by  the  quality  of  the  records,  their 
accessibility,  their  fragmentary  or  complete  character,  and  other  incidents  due  to 
time  and  change.  But,  in  every  case,  without  exception,  the  very  best  possible 
has  been  done,  and  often  with  no  little  difficulty. 

The  publishers  and  their  editor  here  desire  to  tender  their  most  hearty  thanks 
to  those  friendly  pastors,  deacons,  elders,  and  other  church  officers  and  members, 


whose  kind  and  invaluable  aid,  so  generously  given,  has  mnfle  the  surcessful  com- 
pletion of  the  work,  possible.  I'he  remembrance  of  their  lulprnl  courtesy  is  a 
pleasant  one.  The  list  is  a  long  one.  None  are  named,  lest  one  should,  by  inad- 
vertence, be  omitted.  Each  one  is  warmly  thanked,  personally  ;  and  all,  collect- 
ively ;  but  none,  enough. 

The  old  proverb,  ''Alii  us  ibuiit  qui  aii  siimina  iiUitiititi ,''  has  been  the  rule, 
in  the  production  of  the  book.  While  jierfection  cannot,  i)rol)ably,  be  attained, 
even  in  the  publishing  of  a  book,  it  can  be  striven  for.  This  standard  having 
been  always  aimed  at,  it  is  devoutly  —  and  with  some  basis  —  hoped  that  a  thor- 
oughly good  book  has  been  produced,  even  though  hypercriticism  should  detect 
some  weak  points. 

The  work  will  be  continued  uninterruptedly  throughout  the  several  denomi- 
nations. 

Boston,  May,  1883. 


The  First  Baptist  Church, 

Clarendon  Street,  Corner  of  Commonwealth  Avenue. 


This  church  was  constituted  in  Charlestown  on  the  28th  of  March,  Cold 
style,)  1665.     The  first  record  on  the  church-book  is  as  follows  :  — 

"The  28th  of  the  3d  month,  1665,  in  Charlestown,  the  church  of  Christ, 
commonly  (though  falsely)  called  Anabaptist,  were  gathered  together  and  entered 
into  fellowship  and  communion  with  each  other,  engaging  to  walk  together  in  all 
the  appointments  of  their  Lord  and  Master,  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  far  as  He 
should  be  pleased  to  make  known  His  mind  and  will  unto  them  by  His  word  and 
Spirit,  —  and  then  were  baptized  Thomas  Gould,  Thomas  Osborne,  Edward 
Dnnker,  John  George,  —  and  joined  with  Richard  Goodall,  William  Turner, 
Robert  Lambert,  Mary  Goodall,  and  Mary  Newall,  who  had  walked  in  that  order 
in  Old  England." 

This  proceeding  was  considered  by  the  civil  rulers  and  the  clergy  of  the 
Established  Church  as  a  high-handed  and  illegal  act  on  the  part  of  the  Baptists ; 
and  they  were  denounced  as  heretics,  and  disturbers  of  the  peace.  In  accordance 
with  a  law  which  had  been  enacted  at  an  early  date,  forbidding  any  person  to  form 
a  church,  or  to  meet  together  for  divine  service,  without  consent  of  the  magistrate, 
several  of  the  leading  brethren  of  the  church  were  brought  before  the  Court  of 
Assistants,  the  County  Court  at  Cambridge,  and  the  General  Court ;  and,  on  their 
refusal  to  desist  from  what  was  called  their  schismatic  practice,  were  fined,  dis- 
franchised, ordered  to  go  into  exile,  and  imprisoned.  These  persecutions,  with 
intervals  of  abatement,  continued  until  1680,  when  the  church,  having  been  ejected 
from  the  meeting-house  which  it  had  built,  was  permitted  to  re-enter  it. 

Until  1679,  the  church  met  regularly  once  a  week  at  private  houses  in 
Woburn,  Charlestown,  in  Back  street,  now  Salem  street,  Boston,  and  Noddle's 
Island,  now  East  Boston. 

On  the  15th  of  February,  1679,  the  church  met  for  the  first  time  in  its  first 
meeting-house,  which  was  located  at  the  corner  of  what  are  now  called  Stillman 
and  Salem  streets.  It  was  at  the  foot  of  an  open  lot,  running  from  Salem  street  to 
the  mill-pond,  and  placed  near  the  water,  for  convenience  for  baptismal  services. 
This  house  was  replaced  by  a  larger  one,  erected  on  the  same  spot,  in  1771,  under 
the  popular  Dr.  Stillman  ;  to  which,  twenty  years  later,  a  considerable  addition  was 
made,  making  the  whole  building  57x77  feet.     In  these  two  humble  buildings,  on 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTOX. 


this  memorable  site,  the  church  worshipped  for  o\er  150  years.  They  were 
fraught  with  precious  memories  of  conference  prayer,  baptismal,  and  sacramental 
occasions ;  and  of  a  succession  of  pastors  and  members  whose  influence  will  be 
felt  forever.  There  Wayland,  Winchell  and  Stillman  preached — back  to  John 
Russell  and  Thomas  Gould. 

The  old  building  was  afterwards  removed  to  South  Boston,  and  for  a  long 
time,  was  used  by  the  South  Boston  Baptist  Church. 

The  third  meeting-house,  erecteil  b\'  the  church  in  Hano\er  street,  was  dedi- 
cated June  18,  1829. 

The  fourth  meeting-house,  erected  b)'  tlie  church  in  Somerset  street,  was 
dedicated  January  11,  1855.  This  proijerty  is  now  owned  bv  the  Boston 
University. 

From  1877  to  1882  the  church  occupied  the  meeting-house  m  Shawmut 
avenue.  In  the  fall  of  1882,  the  magnificent  temple  on  Commonwealth  avenue 
which  had  been  built  by  the  Brattle  Street  Society,  having  been  bought  and  refitted, 
was  taken  possession  of  by  the  church  as  its  house  of  worship.  This  house  —  the 
sixth  occupied  by  the  church  —  with  the  adjoining  new  chapel  building,  since 
erected,  is  one  of  the  most  imposing  ecclesiastical  structures  in  the  city. 

The  new  chapel  was  opened  on  Friday  evening,  February  9,  1883.  It  is  at 
the  side  of  the  main  building,  and  is  104  feet  long  and  28  feet  wide,  Avith  a  small 
addition  of  the  size  of  12  feet  by  44,  taken  from  the  main  edifice.  It  has  a 
seating  capacity  of  about  400,  and,  with  connecting  rooms,  of  100  more.  The 
l)astor's  room,  Bible  and  Committee  rooms,  etc.,  are  over  the  ante-rooms.  In  this 
annex  the  architecture  of  the  original  edifice  has  been  closely  followed  under  the 
direction  of  ^tr.  T.  W.  Silloway.  The  decorations  are  Romanesque,  and  the  fres- 
coing is  a  handsome  piece  of  work,  scarcely  excelled  in  Boston.  In  the  basement 
is  a  refectory,  extending  under  the  entire  chapel.  The  cost  of  the  chapel  and 
land  was  $50,000 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church,  who  was  also  one  of  its  founders,  was  Thomas 
Gould. 

After  his  decease,  in  1675,  Isaac  Hull  and  John  Russell  became  pastors  of 
the  church,  assisted  in  their  labors  for  a  brief  i:)eriod  by  John  Miles,  one  of  the 
two  thousand  ministers  ejected  from  their  livings  in  England  in  1662. 

John  Russell  was  a  shoemaker,  and  no  doubt  worked  at  the  trade  after 
assuming  the  pastoral  office  —  a  circumstance  which  was  the  occasion  of  much 
ridicule  by  the  learned  divines  of  Boston. 

After  the  death  of  Mr.  Russell,  in  1680,  the  church  appointed  Edward 
Drinker  and  Ellis  Callender  to  aid  in  carrying  on  their  worship. 

In  1684  John  Emblem,  who  had  been  brought  over  from  England,  began 
a  ministry  with  the  church  which  ended  with  his  death,  in  1699. 


THE    FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 


Failing  in  an  effort  to  obtain  a  minister  from  England,  in  1708  the  church 
ordained  as  its  pastor  Ellis  Callender,  who,  when  the  pastoral  office  was  vacant, 
had  been  for  thirty  years  "  principal  speaker." 

Resigni;-ig  his  charge  in  1718,  he  was  succeeded  by  his  son  Elisha  Callender, 
whose  prosperous  ministry  continued  until  his  death,  in  1 738.  It  is  a  pleasing 
circumstance  that  the  principal  services  on  the  occasion  of  his  ordination  were 
performed  by  Increase  Mather,  Cotton  Mather,  and  James  Webb,  three  eminent 
Congregationalist  clergymen,  who,  a  few  years  before,  had  used  their  influence  to 
drive  the  Baptists  from  the  Colony.  These  services,  moreover,  were  performed  in 
the  very  house  whose  doors  had  once  "  been  nailed  up  "  by  the  authorities  of  the 
Colony  of  Massachusetts.  * 

On  February  14,  1739,  Jeremiah  Condy,  who  had  been  brought  over  from 
England,  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church.  It  was  during  this  pastorate  that  the 
secession  from  this  church  took  place,  from  which  arose  the  Second  Baptist  Church, 
afterwards  well  known  as  The  Baldwin  Place  Baptist  Church  —  now  The  Warren 
Avenue  Church.  Whatever  may  have  been  thought  of  Mr.  Condy  by  some  of  his 
people,  he  seems  to  have  enjoyed  the  strong  support  of  th^  church,  which  would 
appear  by  his  long  pastorate,  which  lasted  for  25  years.  But,  in  addition  to  this 
fact,  there  is  on  record  a  letter  full  of  confidence  and  love,  given  to  Mr.  Condy  at 
his  resignation.     He  died  in  Boston  in  1 768. 

Upon  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Condy,  in  1765,  the  eminent  and  beloved  Samuel 
Stillman  was  installed  in  the  pastoral  office,  the  duties  of  which  he  performed  with 
remarkable  ability  and  devotion  until  his  death,  March  12,  1807.  But  few 
pastors  have  been  more  highly  regarded  than  this  venerable  man.  Not  only  by 
the  church,  but  by  the  whole  community,  he  was  looked  upon  as  a  man  of  extra- 
ordinary talent,  great  kindness  of  heart,  and  perfect  purity  of  moral  character.  He 
was  probably  the  most  popular  pulpit  orator  of  his  day.  His  pastorate  covered  a 
period  of  the  greatest  national  interest ;  the  revolutionary  war,  the  adoption  of  the 
federal  constitution,  the  presidencies  of  Washington — of  whom  he  was  an  enthusi- 
astic friend  —  Adams,  and  Jefferson,  all  having  occurred  while  he  was  pastor  of  this 
church.  In  the  early  part  of  the  century  there  was  a  great  revival  of  religion  at 
-  both  the  first  and  second  churches. 

Dr.  Stillman  was  succeeded,  in  1807,  by  Joseph  Clay  (commonly  called  Judge 
Clay),  who,  on  account  of  continued  ill  health,  obtained  dismission  from  his  pas- 
toral charge  in  1809.  In  early  manhood  he  had  studied  law,  and  was  for  several 
years  Judge  of  the  U.  S.  Court  for  the  district  of  Georgia.  He  died  January  1 1, 
181 1,  aged  47  years.     After  this  the  church  was  without  a  pastor  for  five  years. 

In  1 8 14  James  Manning  Winchell  began  a  prosperous  ministry  with  the 
church,  which  ended  with  his  death,  on  February  22,  1820. 

From   1 82 1  to   1826  the  Rev.  Francis  Wayland,  D.  D.,  (afterward  president 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


of  Brown  University)  filled  the  pastoral  oftice.  and  was  succeeded,  in  1827,  by  the 
Rev.  C'vrus  1'.  (irosvenor,  who  resiimefl  in  iS-io. 

It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  (Irosvenor,  and  chiefi)-  through  his  exer- 
tions, that  the  old  meeting-house  on  Stillman  street  was  abandoned,  a:|^l  a  new  one 
built  at  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  Union  streets,  in  1829,  wherein  the  church 
worshipped  for  25  years.     Here  Dr.  Neale  preached  for  16  years. 

Dr.  William  Hague  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  1830,  remaining  undl 
1837,  when  he  resigned  to  take  charge  of  the  thirst  Bapdst  Church  in  Providence, 
R.  I.  Under  him  the  congregation  was  greatly  enlarged  ;  the  brilliant  union  in 
liim  of  pojjular  talent  and  an  ingenuous  spirit  commanded  universal  affection  and 
confidence. 

In  1837  Rollin  H.  Neale  succeeded  to  the  pastoral  office,  resigning  in  1877, 
and  dying  in  1879.  A  man  of  power  and  a  man  of  peace,  Dr.  Neale  was  greatly 
honored  and  beloved  ;  and  all  our  thoughts  of  him,  now  that  he  has  passed  into 
the  skies,  are  j^recious  thoughts. 

In  October,  187 1,  Rev.  John  T.  Beckley  was  installed  associate  pastor, 
resigning  June,  1876.. 

In  the  period  which  we  have  been  reviewing,  the  church  enjoyed  many 
precious  revivals  of  religion.  Of  the  pastors  whose  labors  were  specially  honored 
by  revivals,  we  mention  Mr.  Condy,  Dr.  Stillman,  Mr.  Orosvenor,  Dr.  Hague,  and 
Dr.  Neale. 

For  many  years  previous  to  1877  there  had  been  a  growing  conviction  that 
the  church  would  gain  larger  prosperity  by  removal  to  another  part  of  the  city. 
Such  a  project  seemed  to  require  a  union  with  one  of  the  other  churches. 
Accordingly,  after  prayerful  deliberation,  an  overture  for  union  was  made  by  the 
Shawmut  Avenue  Church.  This  overture,  after  much  deliberation  and  many  con- 
ferences, was  accepted.  On  the  twenty-fourth  day  of  May,  1877,  the  members  of 
the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church  were  received  individually  into  the  First  Church,  the 
former  church  ceasing  to  exist  as  a  church,  and  the  latter  entering  upon  a  new 
epoch  of  its  long  and  honorable  career. 

'I'he  history  of  the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church  may  be  briefly  summarized  as 
follows  :  — 

In  view  of  the  rapid  growth  of  population  in  the  southerly  section  of  the 
city,  a  few  warm-hearted  and  earnest  Christians,  members  of  Baptist  churches  of 
Boston  and  vicinity,  began  public  religious  services  on  the  second  Sunday  of  April, 
1855,  in  a  hall  on  Canton  street,  a  little  west  of  Shawmut  avenue.  R.  W. 
Cushman,  D.  D.,  accepted  an  invitation  to  supply  the  pulpit,  and  soon  gathered  a 
good  congregation.  On  the  6th  of  May,  under  the  superintendence  of  Franklin 
W.  Smith,  a  sabbath-school  was  organized  with  nine  teachers  and  forty-four 
scholars. 


THE    FIRST    BAPTIST    CHURCH. 


On  the  third  day  of  March,  1856,  thirty-one  persons  (fifteen  males  and 
sixteen  females)  constituted  themsehes  into  a  church,  and  on  the  thirteenth  day 
of  the  same  month  were  publicly  recognized  by  an  ecclesiastical  council  under  the 
name  of  the  "  Thirteenth  Baptist  Church."  Dr.  Cushman  accepted  the  pastoral 
charge,  in  which  he  continued  until  July  of  the  same  year. 

In  September,  1857,  Mr.  Philip  S.  Evans  began  his  labors  as  pastor,  receiving 
ordination  in  October.  At  this  time  the  church  worshipped  in  Williams  Hall.  Mr. 
Evans  resigned  November    1858. 

In  June,  1859,  J.  W.  Parker,  D.  D.,  became  pastor  of  the  church,  resigning 
in  December,  1864.  In  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate,  the  edifice  occupied  from 
1877  to  1882  by  the  First  Baptist  Church  was  purchased,  refitted,  and  dedicated. 
At  this  time  the  name  of  the  church  was  changed  to  the  "  Shawmut  Avenue 
Baptist   Church." 

In  April,  1865,  William  Hague,  D.  D.,  accepted  an  invitation  to  the  pastoral 
office,  and  began  his  labors.  During  his  pastorate  the  meeting-house  was  enlarged 
and  beautified,  and  the  debt  upon  it  paid,  and  a  mission-school  established,  which 
has  since  developed  into  the  "  Ruggles  Street  Baptist  Church." 

Dr.  Hague  resigned  in  1869,  and  was  succeeded  in  1870  by  George  C. 
Lorimer,  D.  D.,  who  resigned  in  1873. 

In  1874  Rev.  Wayland  Hoyt  became  pastor  of  the  church,  resigning  in  1876. 

In  the  period  here  reviewed,  many  revivals  of  religion  were  enjoyed,  par- 
ticularly during  the  pastorates  of  Mr.  Evans,  Dr.  Hague,  and  Dr.  Lorimer,  while 
all  the  pastors  were  abundantly  blessed  in  their  work. 

In  1877,  as  already  stated,  the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church  was  incorporated  into 
the  First  Church,  and  ceased  to  exist  as  a  separate  and  independent  body. 

On  the  1 2th  of  April,  1878,  the  Rev.  Cephas  B,  Crane,  D.  D.,  began  his 
labors  as  pastor  of  the  church,  and  is  still  fulfilling  effectively  and  with  divinely 
favored  success,  the  duties  of  his  office  in  this  ancient  church.  The  present 
membership  of  the  church  is  about  850. 

Church  Officers.  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  Cephas  B.  Crane,  D.  D.  ;  Deacons  : 
Cyrus  Carpenter,  Elisha  James,  John  Q.  A.  Litchfield,  James  W.  Converse, 
Lansing  Millis  ;  Treasurer  :   Elisha  James  ;    Clerk  :   William  H.  Foster. 

Officers  of  the  Sundav  School.  —  Superintendent:  A.  S.  Woodworth  ; 
Assistant  Superintendents:  J.  K.  Simpson,  Jr.,  H.  L.  Millis;  Secretary:  A.  L- 
Macomber. 


CHTRCffES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Warren  Avenue  Church, 

Warren  AvENtE,  Cok.   West  Cantox  Street. 


In  the  year  1742,  some  of  the  members  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  became 
dissatisfied  with  the  preaching  and  doctrine  of  its  pastor,  the  Rev.  Jeremiah 
Condy.  They  felt  convinced  that  his  doctrines  were  unevangehcal,  and  not  in 
accordance  with  the  views  of  Baptists.  In  consequence,  they  addressed  a  letter 
—  dated  September  29,  1742, —  to  Mr.  Condy  and  to  the  members,  stating  their 
dissatisfaction,  and  requesting  a  conference  on  the  matter.  They  received  no 
reply,  and,  therefore,  in  the  month  of  October,  they  assembled  in  the  house  of 
Mr.  James  Bownd,  at  the  corner  of  Sheafe  and  Snowhill  streets,  to  conduct  wor- 
ship among  themselves. 

This  continued  for  several  months,  until,  finding  no  prospect  of  a  change 
at  the  First  Church,  the  seceders  from  that  church  —  in  all  seven  persons — met 
on  July  27,  1743,  and  organized  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  and  on  the  same  day 
they  drew  up  and  adopted  a  Church  Covenant,  which  was  signed  by  thirty-three 
persons.  However,  these  brethren,  not  knowing  but  that  they  were  the  only 
persons  who  still  adhered  to  the  doctrines  and  principles  upon  which  the  First 
Baptist  Church  was  founded,  felt  that  they  ought  to  retain  that  name,  which,  finally, 
they  did,  and  it  was  not  until  after  the  lapse  of  many  years  that  they  consented  to  be 
called  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  and  nearly  a  hundred  years  afterwards,  —  in 
the  year  1839  —  t""*^  name  by  which  this  church  was  so  long  and  so  widely  known, 
viz.  :  "The  Baldwin  Place  Baptist  Church,"  was  adopted,  in  accordance  with  a 
joint  petition  of  the  church  and  society  to  the  legislature. 

They  selected  one  of  tlieir  number  —  Ephraim  Bownd  —  as  their  first  pastor; 
he  was  forthwith  ordained,  and  commenced  pastoral  duties,  more  especially  the 
baptising  of  such  candidates  as  the  church  received. 

In  the  Centennial  Sermon  of  this  church,  preached  by  Dr.  Stow,  the  following 
paragraph  occurs  :  — 

"  Having  withdrawn  from  their  brethren  for  reasons  such  as  have  been  speci- 
fied, it  is  natural  to  suppose  that  they  would  not  fail  to  give  special  prominence,  in 
their  articles  of  organization,  to  those  cardinal  doctrines  for  the  sake  of  which  they 


mmmmimameM 


were  making  large  sacrifices,  and  assuming  peculiar  responsibilities.  The 
Summary  Declaration  of  Faith  which  they  promptly  put  forth,  and  which  is  still  the 
platform  of  this  church,  shows  how  careful  they  were  to  be  full  and  explicit  in  the 
exhibition  of  those  principles  which  they  had  gathered  from  the  Word  of  God, 
and  for  the  defence  of  which  they  had  taken  their  new  position.  Faithful  disciples 
of  Jesus  !  They  laid  their  foundation  deep  and  broad  in  the  great  doctrines  of 
the  New  Testament,  and  to  this  fact  may  be  attributed,  under  God,  the  stability 
of  the  superstructure.  While  other  churches  around  them;  built  partly  upon 
God's  truth  and  partly  upon  tradition,  have  declined  from  Christian  rectitude, 
this  church  has  stood  firm  on  'the  foundation  of  the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus 
Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner  stone,'  and  though  the  superincumbent  mass 
has  been  greatly  increased,  and  though  it  has  been  exposed  to  all  the  convulsions 
of  a  most  exciting  century,  yet  it  has  never  been  swayed  a  single  hair's  breadth 
from  the  true  perpendicular." 

The  meetings  of  the  church  were  continued  in  the  house  "of  Mr.  James 
Bownd  until  June,  1745,  when  they  were  removed  to  Mr.  Proctor's  school-house, 
which  was  not  far  from  Baldwin  Place.  About  this  time  the  society  commenced 
building  their  first  house  of  worship.  It  was  erected  on  land  given  by  Deacon 
Bosworth.  The  house  was  forty-five  by  thirty-three  feet,  containing  twenty-six 
pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and  six  in  the  east  gallery,  in  front  of  the  woman's  gallery. 
The  seats  in  the  west  gallery  were  free,  and  were  occupied  chiefly  by  sea-faring 
men,  as  they  were,  from  time  to  time,  in  port.  The  house  was  first  opened  for 
Divine  service  on  Lord's  Day,  March  15,  1746.  The  best  pew  in  the  house,  esti- 
mated worth  eighty-five  pounds,  "  old  tenor,"  was  owned  by  Mr.  Proctor.  The 
second  best  was  set  apart  "  to  be  forever  the  ministerial  pew."  Near  the  pulpit 
was  a  baptistry,  which  was  used  for  more  than  forty  years. 

Mr.  Bownd,  the  first  pastor  of  this  church,  was  regarded  as  a  very  evangelical 
and  interesting  preacher.  For  several  years,  under  his  care,  the  church  enjoyed 
much  peace  and  harmony,  and  members  were  added  to  it  from  towns  twenty  miles 
around  Boston. 

He  continued  to  minister  to  this  church  for  about  twenty-two  years.  During 
the  first  five  years  of  his  ministry,  such  was  his  success  that  the  church  had  increased 
to  one  hundred  and  twenty,  and  for  ten  years  no  act  of  discipline  was  necessary. 
Some  time  before  his  death  he  was  afiiicted  with  paralysis,  which  greatly  interfered 
with  his  work.  In  1764  an  invitation  was  sent  to  the  Rev.  Samuel  Stillman,  after- 
wards Dr.  Stillman,  then  of  Bordentown,  N.  J.,  to  come  and  assist  him  for  one 
year,  which  he  accepted.  At  the  close  of  this  year's  service,  there  being  a  vacancy 
in  the  pastoral  office  of  the  First  Churcli,  Mr.  Stillman  was  invited  to  fill  it,  and 
consented  ;  but  such  was  the  attachment  of  many  of  the  members  of  this  church 
and  congregation  to  him,  that  they  went  with  him,  some  with  letters  of  dismission 


12  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

and  some  without.  This  occasioned  a  state  of  very  sore  feeling  between  the  two 
churches,  which  it  took  years  to  heal. 

Mr.  Bownd  died  the  next  year,  June  i8,  1765. 

It  was  five  years  before  the  church  obtained  another  pastor,  and  these  were 
years  of  severe  trial.  Many  had  followed  Mr.  Stillman  —  the  tide  had  turned  in 
favor  of  that  church,  and  the  faith  of  this  was  severely  tested. 

In  1770,  Mr.  John  Davis,  a  graduate  of  Pennsylvania  University,  son  of  the 
Rev.  David  Davis,  of  Welch  Tract,  Delaware,  was  requested  to  take  the  oversight 
of  the  church.  He  commenced  his  labors  on  probation,  in  the  spring,  and  on 
the  9th  of  September  following,  was  ordained  to  the  pastoral  office.  The  pros- 
pects of  the  church  again  assumed  an  encouraging  aspect.  Some  who  had  gone 
off  returned,  and  the  church  began  to  look  for  days  of  prosperity ;  but  these 
pleasing  anticipations  were  quickly  blasted.  In  less  than  two  years  from  the  time 
of  Mr.  Davis's  ordination  his  health  began  to  dechne,  so  that  he  found  it  necessary 
to  ask  for  a  dismission,  which  was  reluctantly  granted,  July  19,  1772.  He  died 
December  13,  1773.  During  Mr.  Davis's  ministry,  Watts'  Psalms  and  Hymns 
were  first  used  by  this  church,  those  of  Sternhold  and  Hopkins,  Tate  and  Brady, 
having  been  used  previously. 

The  feelings  of  the  church  had  become,  by  this  time,  so  far  modified  towards 
Mr.  Stillman,  that  a  vote  was  passed  that  he  be  allowed  to  preach  in  "  our " 
meeting-house. 

In  September,  1772,  this  church  was  admitted  into  the  Warren  Association, 
which  met,  that  year,  with  the  church  in  Middleborough,  and  continued  a  member 
of  that  body  until  the  year  181 1,  when  it  was  dismissed  with  other  churches  to 
constitute  the  Boston  Association. 

The  next  pastor  was  Mr.  Isaac  Skillman,  aftenvards  Dr.  Skillman,  a  native  of 
New  Jersey,  and  a  graduate  of  Nassau  Hall  College  at  Princeton.  He  com- 
menced his  labors,  without  a  regular  installation,  in  September,  1773,  and  con- 
tinued pastor  until  October  7,  1787,  a  period  of  fourteen  years,  when,  at  his  own 
request,  he  was  dismissed.  Although  this  pastor  was  regarded  as  a  man  of  more 
than  ordinary  talent,  yet  the  church  did  not  prosper  under  his  ministry.  When  he 
settled,  the  number  of  members  was  forty,  when  he  retired  from  his  connection 
with  the  church  it  wais  sixty-six. 

The  fourth  pastor  was  the  Rev.  I'homas  (}air,  a  native  of  Boston.  He  was 
converted  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  under  the  ministry  of  Dr.  Stillman.  In  1777,  he 
received  his  degree  of  A.  M.  at  Rhode  Island  College.  He  was  soon  after  settled 
as  pastor  of  the  church  in  Medfield,  where  he  labored  ten  years.  Having  closed 
his  labors  there,  he  was  invited  by  this  church  to  supply  them  on  probation,  after 
which  he  accepted  their  imanimous  invitation  to  become  their  pastor.  He  was 
installed   April  23,    1788,  in  the    Rev.    Dr.    Elliott's   uieeting-house,   on    which 


THE    WARREN  AVENUE   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  13 

occasion  the  pastor  of  the  First  Church  was  one  of  the  officiating  ministers,  and 
from  this  event  may  be  dated  the  commencement  of  a  better  feeling  between  the 
two  churches. 

Such  was  the  success  of  Mr.  Gair's  ministry  that  it  was  found  necessary  to 
enlarge  the  meeting-house  for  the  accommodation  of  the  increasing  congregation. 
Twenty  feet  were  added  to  the  south  side,  making  it  fifty-three  by  forty-five  feet. 

These  fair  prospects  were  soon  becloudetl,  ibr  in  the  spring  of  1 790,  their 
beloved  pastor,  in  the  midst  of  his  usefuhiess,  was  suddenly  attacked  by  a  malig- 
•nant  fever,  the  progress  of  which  no  earthl)'  skill  could  arrest.  His  death,  which 
was  deeply  lamented,  took  place  April  27,  1790,  only  two  years  and  four  days 
after  his-installation,  and  in  the  thirty-sixth  year  of  his  age.  Immediately  after  the 
funeral  of  Mr.  Gair,  on  an  intimation  from  Mr.  Oliver  Holden  that  Mr.  Thomas 
Baldwin,  of  Canaan,  N.  H.,  would  be  a  suitable  person  to  supply  them,  a  letter 
was  addressed  to  him,  but,  by  some  means,  it  did  not  reach  him,  and  had  it  not 
been  that  a  brother  wrote  him  on  his  own  responsibility,  and  sent  his  letter  in  a 
different  direction  from  the  official  one,  he  probably  never  would  have  been  the 
pastor  of  this  church,  as  he  was  then  on  his  way  to  visit  another  church  which 
was  desirous  of  his  services.  He  replied  to  his  brother  that  "  God  willing,  he 
would  be  in  Boston  the  first  of  July."  He  arrived,  and  commenced  his  labors  on 
the  fourth  of  July,  1790.  His  first  sermon  was  founded  on  Acts  x.  29,  the  words 
of  Peter  to  Cornelius  :  "  Therefore  came  I  unto  you,  without  gainsaying,  as  soon 
as  I  was  sent  for;  I  ask,  therefore,  to  what  intent  ye  have  sent  for  me."  After 
preaching  a  short  time  on  probation,  the  church  and  society  held  a  special  meet- 
ing and  extended  to  him  a  unanimous  call  to  become  their  pastor. 

The  letter  from  the  committee,  having  the  matter  in  charge,  sent  to  Mr. 
Baldwin,  says  "  that  the  church  have  thought  it  their  duty  to  engage  you  at  six 
dollars  per  week  for  the  first  six  months,  and  then  to  increase  it  as  they  shall  find 
themselves  able  ;  and  also  to  find  you  all  that  part  of  the  dwelling-house  now 
occupied  by  the  widow  Gair,  (excepting  the  front  chamber,)  together  with  the 
improvement  of  the  garden,  below  the  gate  ;  and  also  to  allow  you  fifteen  cords 
or  wood,  delivered  at  the  house." 

Agreeably  to  this  engagement,  at  the  end  of  six  months,  they  raised  the 
salary  to  eight  dollars,  and  not  long  after,  to  ten,  then  to  twelve,  to  fifteen,  to 
eighteen,  aud  then  to  twenty  \  this  was  paid  weekly,  with  punctuality. 

These  advances  were  made  by  the  society,  without  the  slightest  hint  from  the 
pastor.  They  also  furnished  him  with  a  good  house,  and  with  all  the  wood 
necessary. 

On  Tuesday,  November  11,  1790,  Mr.  Baldwin  was  publicly  installed,  at  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Elliott's  meeting-house,  which  was  kindly  offered  for  the  occasion.  From 
this  time  we  may  date  the  beginning  of  prosperity  which  continued,  with  but  Httle 


14  CHURCHES  OF    BOSTON. 

interruption,  for  years.  In  a  very  short  time  the  congregation  had  s(j  increased 
that  the  house  became  too  small  to  accommodate  the  hearers,  and  it  was  deemed 
necessary  again  to  enlarge  it,  which  was  done  by  dividing  it,  and  adding  eighteen 
feet  in  the  middle.  This  work  was  commenced  September  iS,  i  797,  and  lini-^hcd 
November  30th  following  —  Thanksgiving  day.  The  house  was  embellished  by  a 
beautiful  clock,  the  tlonation  of  Mr.  John  Hoffman  ;  by  an  elegant  cut  glass 
chandelier,  imi)orted  from  England  ;  and  the  communion  service  was  so  enlarged, 
by  purchase  and  donations,  as  to  be  worth  $551.44. 

In  1803,  this  and  the  P'irst  Church  were  blessed  with  a  most  precious  revival 
of  religion,  which  continued  for  more  than  two  years,  during  which  time  two 
hundred  and  twelve  persons  were  added,  by  baptism,  to  this  church,  and  osie 
hundred  and  thirty-five  to  the  First  Church.  The  influenc  e  of  this  work  upon 
evangelical  religion  has,  unquestionably,  been  very  great.  It  probaM\-  would  not 
be  asserting  too  much  to  say  that  orthodoxy  owes  its  ascendency,  instrumentaily. 
to  this  revival  in  these  two  Baptist  churches. 

In  the  spring  of  1 8 1  o,  the  congregation  had  become  so  large  that  fears  were 
entertained  of  their  safety,  on  account  of  the  supposed  weakness  of  some  parts 
of  the  old  meeting-house,  and  steps  were  therefore  taken  towards  the  erection  o; 
a  new  one.  This  work  was  undertaken  the  same  year.  The  old  house  was  taken 
down  and  removed.  The  corner  stone  of  the  new  one  was  laid  by  the  ])astor. 
Monday  morning.  May  28,  1810,  at  ten  o'clock.  The  walls  were  laid  in  so'.ivl 
clay,  of  the  depth  of  from  ten  to  twenty  feet  below  the  brick  work  ;  the  house  w:is 
eighty-five  feet  by  seventy-five,  exclusive  of  the  porch,  which  was  thirty-eight  by 
eighteen.  The  tower  was  sixty-four  feet  higli.  It  was  originally  intended  to  have 
a  handsome  cupola.  On  the  lower  floor  were  one  hundred  and  forty-two  pews, 
and  forty-four  in  the  galleries  ;  in  the  whole,  one  hundred  and  eighty-six.  The 
whole  expense,  exclusive  of  the  land,  was  about  twenty-four  thousand  dollars. 
The  house  was  dedicated  by  solemn  and  somewhat  imposing  services  on  January 
I,  181 1.  It  is  supposed  that  more  than  three  thousand  persons  were  present  at 
the  dedicadon. 

The  year  i8t6  may  be  considered  an  era  in  the  history  of  Sabbath  Schools 
in  lioston.  In  the  month  of  June,  1816,  the  Female  Sabbath  School  was  com- 
menced at  Charles  Street  Church,  and  in  the  following  month,  July,  one  was 
commenced  at  the  Second,  afterwards  the  Baldwin  Place,  Baptist  Church,  A  large 
number  of  ladies  of  the  churc  h  and  ( (uigregation,  with  the  approval  of  the  vener- 
able and  beloved  pastor  and  th.e  brethren,  organized  themselves  into  a  society, 
agreeing  each  to  pay  one  cent  a  week  for  the  the  support  of  this  school. 

At  that  period  there  were  no  Primary  Schools  in  Boston.  The  Sabbath 
Schools  were  established  exclusively  for  the  c:hildren  of  the  poor.  Clothing,  suit- 
able for  their  attendance  on  public  worship,  had  to  be  provided  for  them.     This 


THE    WARREN   AVENUE   BAPTIST    CHURCH. 


was  taken  charge  of,  during  the  week,  by  a  lady  appointed  by  the  society  as 
keeper  of  the  wardrobe.  It  was  the  duty  of  the  teacher  to  instruct  the  scholars, 
if  necessary,  from  the  alphabet ;  also  to  teach  them  to  read  and  spell,  as  well  as 
to  require  them  to  commit  to  memory  and  recite,  portions  of  Scripture,  Baldwin's 
Catechism,  Hymns,  etc.  The  hours  for  opening  the  school  in  the  summer  were 
8  A.  M.,  and  i  P.  M. 

On  July  27,  1 81 6,  the  school  was  commenced  with  thirty-seven  children 
attired  in  neat  habiliments,  provided  and  made  up  by  the  industry  of  the  society. 
It  met  on  the  floor  of  the  meeting-house,  there  being  at  that  time  no  vestry,  it 
having  been  taken  down  to  make  room  for  the  erection  of  a  new  meeting-house. 
This  was  just  seventy-three  years  from  the  foundation  of  the  church.  The  first 
class  of  colored  children  ever  brought  under  Sabbath  School  instruction  in  Boston, 
was  taught  in  this  school. 

The  male  school  was  commenced  by  a  society  of  gentlemen  in  the  following 
spring,  181 7,  in  the  gallery  of  the  meeting-house.  The  girls'  school  remained 
exclusively  under  female  supervision  for  twelve  or  thirteen  years.  However, 
pre^'iously  to  the  expiration  of  that  time,  the  plan  of  the  Sabbath  School  instruc- 
tion was  so  modified  as  to  admit  the  children  of  the  rich  as  well  as  the  poor. 

The  ministry  of  Dr.  Baldwin  was  continued  until  August  29,  1825,  at  which 
time  it  was  terminated  by  his  death.  He  had  gone  to  attend  the  commencement 
exercises  of  Waterville  College,  Me.,  when  he  was  taken  ill  and  died.  "  He  was," 
says  Dr.  Stow,  in  his  Centennial  Discourse,  "  a  man  of  rare  excellence,  and  the 
memory  of  his  virtues  will  be  cherished  with  affectionate  reverence  as  long  as  truth 
and  holiness  shall  have  a  friend  or  an  advocate. 

"  The  attachment  of  this  church  and  society  to  Dr.  Baldwin  was  peculiarly 
strong,  and  most  deeply  did  they  mourn  his  departure.  The  general  feeling 
among  themselves,  and  the  common  sentiment  of  the  community  was,  that  it 
would  be  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  find  a  successor  in  whom  they  could  unite, 
and  to  whom  they  could  cordially  transfer  the  affections  that  had  so  long  and 
tenaciously  clung  to  their  aged  favorite. 

"  Mr.  James  D.  Knowles,  then  a  tutor  in  the  Columbia  College,  District  of  Col- 
umbia, was  present  when  Dr.  Baldwin  preached  his  last  sermon  in  this  house,  the 
Sabbath  previous  to  his  departure  for  Waterville.  On  the  same  day  he  preached 
his  first  discourse  to  this  people,  little  apprehending  that  it  was  his  introduction  to 
the  field  of  his  future  labors. 

"  In  the  course  of  the  autumn,  Mr.  Knowles,  by  invitation,  supplied  the  pulpit 
for  a  few  weeks,  and  the  impression  was  so  favorable  that  he  was  unanimously 
requested  to  accept  the  pastoral  office.  This  invitation  was  to  him  the  occasion 
of  trial.  But  after  a  careful  scrutiny  of  all  the  considerations,  he  felt  that  the 
indications  of  Providence  were  too  strongly  marked  to  allow  him  to  decline  ;  and 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


on  the  twenty-eighth  of  December,  1.S25,  t)nly  fi)ur  months  after  the  vacancy  was 
created,  he  was  solemnly  ordained  to  the  responsible  office  of  pastor. 

"  On  him  fell  the  mantle  of  his  departed  predecessor  \  and,  taking  up  the  work 
of  the  i^astor  justVhere  that  man  of  Ood  had  left  it,  he  went  forward,  with  a  pru- 
dence, and  a  judiciousness,  and  an  efficiency,  that  commanded  general  admira- 
tion. 

"  I,ike  his  jiredecessor,  he  was  called  to  perform  much  extra  service  in  the  vari- 
ous departments  of  evangelical  enterprise,  and  this,  superadded  to  his  prei)arations 
for  the  pulpit,  and  numerous  other  parochial  engagements,  ultimately  became  a 
burden  which  his  physical  constitution  was  ill  able  to  endure.  Finding  himself 
sinking  under  the  pressure,  he  at  length  yielded  to  the  advice  of  medical  counsel- 
lors, and,  September  20,  1832,  retired  from  the  pastoral  office,  and  accei)ted  an 
appointment  as  ]M-ofessor  in  the  Newton  Theological  Institution.  He  died  on 
May  9,  1838." 

The  seventh  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Baron  Stow.  At  the  time  of  Mr.  Knowles's 
resignation,  Mr.  Stow  was  i)astor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Portsmouth, 
N.  H.  .At  the  urgent  solicitation  of  this  church,  together  with  the  promise 
that  the  church  would  aid  in  relieving  the  Portsmouth  Church  from  a  pecuniary 
burden,  about  which  Mr.  Stow  was  \-ery  anxious,  he  accepted  an  invitation  to 
become  its  pastor,  and  was  installed  November  15,  1832,  two  months  after  the 
resignation  of  the  former  pastor.  Mr.  Knowles  preached  on  tlie  occasion  from 
I  Peter  i.  24,  25. 

The  first  eleven  years  of  Mr.  Stow's  ministry  in  this  church  were  years  of 
uncommon  prosperity,  such  as  falls  to  the  lot  of  but  few  of  Christ's  ministers. 
During  that  time  this  ardent  and  impulsive  preacher  had  the  pleasure  of  adding 
to  the  church  about  nine  hundred  members.  Several  revivals  of  religion  were 
enj<»yed  during  this  ])eriod,  the  most  remarkable  of  which  were  those  of  1838  and 
184  1-2  ;  during  the  former,  one  hundred  and  thirty-one  were  added  to  the  church, 
and  during  the  latter,  two  hundred  an*  twenty-one, — the  largest  number  e\er 
added  in  one  year.  The  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp  labored  for  some  months,  amidst 
great  excitement  and  much  ojjposition,  with  this  and  other  Baptist  churches  in  the 
city,  during  that  Associational  year. 

In  1842  very  extensive  and  important  alterations  -were  made  in  the  meetin:^; 
house.  In  order  to  increase  the  accommodation,  it  was  resolved  to  raise  tliL' 
roof  of  the  house  and  elevate  the  walls,  with  many  other  improvements.  AMien 
completed  it  was  found  that  the  alterations  had  involved  a  debt  of  $7,000,  which 
remained  a  burden  on  the  church  for  many  years. 

From  this  time,  as  appears  from  the  minutes  of  the  Association,  the  church 
declined  in  numbers  from  year  to  year,  until  the  pastor  became  so  discouraged  as 
to  predict  that  m  five  years  Baldwin  Place  Church  would  cease  to  exist.     The 


THE    WARREN   AVENUE    BAPTIST    CHURCH.  .     17 


drafts  upon  the  church  for  the  constitution  of  other  churclies,  the  mania  for  sub- 
urban residences,  the  tide  of  emigration  to  the  South  End,  together  with  the 
impaired  health  of  the  pastor,  all  tended  to  produce  this  diminution,  and  proba- 
bly, to  give  to  the  pastor's  mind  this  discouraging  view.  Dr.  Stow  resigned  July 
I,  1848.  His  resignation,  together  with  the  removal  of  several  of  the  members 
with  him  to  the  Rowe  Street  Church,  ]5roduced  a  feeling  of  great  discouragement 
in  the  minds  of  many  of  the  members,  yet  still,  upon  the  whole,  hope  was  pre- 
dominant, and  there  was,  by  the  help  of  God,  a  determination  to  live. 

llie  Rev.  Levi  Tucker,  then  pastor  of  the  Washington  Street  Baptist  Church, 
Buffalo,  at  the  invitation  of  the  committee  of  supply,  came  and  preached  to  the 
church  two  Sabbaths.  His  preaching  being  very  acceptable,  the  church  and  soci- 
ety gave  him  a  call  to  become  their  pastor,  which  he  accepted,  and  entered  upon 
his  labors  December  31,  1848.  In  a  very  short  time  things  began  to  wear  a 
cheerful  aspect.  The  house  was  well  filled  with  attentive  hearers  ;  the  baptismal 
waters  were  frequently  disturbed ;  and  the  aggregate  number  of  the  church,  from 
year  to  year,  increased.  After  about  eighteen  months'  arduous  toil,  Mr.  Tucker's 
health  began  to  decline.  Relaxation  was  found  necessary,  but  this  did  not  restore 
him ;  disease  had  fastened  upon  him,  in  the  midst  of  which  he  was  called  to  suf- 
fer most  keenly  from  affliction  in  his  family.  His  wife  died,  and  after  some 
intermittent  labor  of  a  few  months,  he  resigned  his  charge  of  the  church  on  Sep- 
tember I,  1852  ;  and  in  the  August  following,  after  returning  from  a  foreign  tour, 
his  spirit  took  its  flight  to  God  who  gave  it,  and  his  body  was  brought  to  Boston, 
and  placed  in  the  church  until  solemn  funeral  services  were  performed,  then  con- 
veyed to  Woodlawn  Cemetery,  and  deposited  by  the  side  of  his  wife,  in  a  lot 
owned  by  the  church. 

This  old  Parent  Church  has  borne  its  part  well,  among  the  early  Boston 
churches,  in  the  supply  of  members  furnished  out  of  its  ranks  to  the  formation  of 
younger  churches.  The  following  list  gives  the  most  important  of  these  dismis- 
sions : — 

There  were  sent  from  here  in  1807,  to  Charles  Street,  20  members  ;  in  1827,  to 
Federal  Street,  24 members  ;  ini83i,toHingham,  51  members  \  in  1839,  to  Harvard 
Street,  16  members;  in  1839,  to  Tremont  street,  19  members;  in  1840,  to  Bow- 
doin  Square,  79  members.  Since  then,  others  to  the  East  Boston  Church  ;  to  the 
two  churches  in  Somerville  ;  and  to  the  Bi«iker  Hill  Church,  Charlestown,  etc. 

The  successor  of  Dr.  Tucker  was  the  Rev.  Thomas  F.  Caldicott,  who  came  to 
this  church  from  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Charlestown,  where  he  had  been  sig- 
nally successful.  His  success  at  the  Charlestown  Church  was  continued  in  the 
Baldwin  Place  Church,  although  no  memorable  religious  interest  was  displayed. 
He  resigned  in  January,  1858,  and  went  to  Williamsburg,  Long  Island,  from 
whence  he  subsequently  was  called  to  Toronto,  Canada,  where  he  died. 


Nearly  the  whole  of  the  year  1858  was  an  interregnum  in  tliis  (  hunli.  the  pul- 
pit being  filled  by  occasional  supplies. 

In  December,  1858,  the  Rev.  James  IJclchcr,  of  1  )am:iriscotta,  Maine,  received 
and  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  this  church.  The  first  part  of  this  pastor's 
ministry  was  greatly  blessed,  a  large  number  being  added  to  the  church.  The  lat- 
ter part,  however,  of  the  time  was  not  equally  propitious.  Mr.  Belcher  resigned 
in  July,  iS6i,  and  left  Boston  for  Philadelphia.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
Stephen  Remington,  whose  pastorate  was  both  short  and  uneventful.  It  lasted 
only  about  eighteen  months,  during  which  time  there  were  Ixit  two  baptisms. 

The  next  j^astor  was  the  well-known  Dr.  Daniel  C.  Eddy,  whose  incumbency  of 
this  pulpit  for  nearly  seven  years,  though  by  no  means  unsuccessfiil  otherwise,  is 
mainly  noticeable  as  being  that  in  which  the  church  remo\ed  from  its  old  time-hon- 
ored location  in  Baldwin  Place — a  spot  so  crowded  with  sacred  memories  —  to  the 
new  edifice  where  it  now  worships  in  Warren  avenue,  corner  of  West  Canton 
street.  The  experience  of  the  old  church  was  the  same  as  that  of  all  its  cotem- 
poraries  among  the  primitive  Boston  churches.  The  congregation  gradually 
deserted  the  old  neighborhoods  for  newer  and  more  modern  and  attractive  resi- 
dence districts,  and  the  church  was  compelled  either  to  sink  out  of  existence,  or 
to  follow  the  migrations  of  its  people.  As  the  population  of  the  city  increased, 
the  neighborhood  of  Baldwin  Place  became  filled  with  a  heterogeneous  foreign 
population,  and  the  church  was  both  separated  from  the  great  body  of  its  own  peo- 
ple, and  surrounded  by  a  class  entirely  out  of  harmony  with  its  purposes.  So 
complete  was  the  desertion  of  the  old  congregation  that  it  was  said  at  the  time 
that  there  was  not  left  a  marriageable  couple  in  the  whole  church.  The  building 
was  therefore  sold  for  $20,000  to  the  trustees  of  the  "  Home  for  Little  Wanderers," 
a  most  deserving  charity,  whose  object  is  to  rescue  poor  and  helpless  chil- 
dren from  want  and  shame,  and  which  is  still  (1883)  continued  in  the  old  building  of 
this  church.  The  new  edifice  was  built  in  1865.  The  site  selected  was  in  a  loca- 
tion at  that  time  almost  entirely  unoccupied,  and  much  of  the  Back  Bay  district 
was  not  even  filled  in.  The  first  meetings  were  held  in  the  vestry  of  the  par- 
tially-completed church  on  April  29,  1866,  and  the  building  was  completed  and 
dedicated  on  October  25,  1866.  The  membership  at  this  time  was  about  400. 
It  cost  $105,000 ;  the  seating  capacity  is  about  1,300. 

For  a  short  time  between  the  leaving  of  Baldwin  Place  and  the  opening  in  ^^'ar- 
ren  avenue,  services  were  held  in  a  chapel  in  West  Canton  street.  During  Dr. 
Eddy's  ministrations  about  300  were  added  to  the  church  membership,  but  though 
apparently  prosperous,  the  inner  life  of  the  people  was  chilled  by  dissensions,  which, 
though  not  especially  pronounced  or  demonstrative,  were  none  the  less  real.  This 
was  ultimately  the  cause  of  the  resignation  of  Dr.  Eddy,  whicli  took  place  on  May 
I,  1 87 1,  when  he  accepted  the  charge  of  a  church  in  Fall  River. 


THE    WARREN    AVENUE    BAPTIST    CHURCH.  19 

Dr.  Eddy's  successor  in  the  Warren  Avenue  Church  was  the  Rev.  George  Fred- 
erick Pentecost,  better  known,  perhaps,  as  an  evangehst  than  as  a  preacher.  Mr. 
Pentecost  commenced  preaching  in  this  church  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  December, 
1872,  when  President  Robinson,  of  Brown  University,  preached  the  installation 
sermon,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gordon,  and  other  prominent  city  clergymen  took  part 
in  the  interesting  services.  Mr.  Pentecost's  work  here  was  most  fruitful  in  results  ; 
not  so  much  in  the  numerical  additions  to  the  actual  members  of  the  church,  as 
in  the  highly  increased  spiritual  efficiency  and  religious  culture  of  those  already 
forming  its  body.  He  was  thoroughly  in  earnest  in  his  work,  and  ever  ready  to 
exhaust  all  his  powers  in  his  sacred  calling.  Mr.  Pentecost  however  was  evidently 
pre-ordained  for  the  work  of  an  evangelist.  Mr.  Moody  came  to  Boston  in  1877, 
and  brought  the  most  powerful  persuasion  to  bear  on  the  pastor  to  induce  him  to 
leave  the  pastoral,  and  take  up  the  evangelistic  work.  Mr.  Moody  said,  at  this 
time,  that  "  God's  providence  would  undoubtedly  soon  drive  Mr.  Pentecost  to 
become  an  evangelist ;  "  and  "  that  he  (Mr.  Pentecost)  was  the  ablest  evangelist 
who  had  ever  crossed  his  path."  These  expectations  were  shortly  afterwards  real- 
ized. Early  in  1878,  after  some  five  years  of  this  pastorate,  Mr.  Pentecost 
resigned  his  office  and  commenced  to  labor  as  a  simple  evangelist,  to  the  great 
regret  of  his  people,  by  whom  he  was  regarded  with  the  deepest  confidence  and 
affection.  His  first  point  of  attack  as  an  evangelist  was  Hartford,  Conn.,  whence 
he  went  to  New  Haven,  Philadelphia,  Fall  River,  Chicago,  and  many  other  places. 
In  this  character  he  was,  if  possible,  more  successful  even  than  in  that  of  pastor, 
and  was  said  to  be  "the  only  substitute  in  this  sphere  for  Mr.  Moody."  He  finally 
again  assumed  the  pastor's  office,  and  was  called  to  the  charge  of  a  Congregational 
church  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  In  regard  to  his  leaving  the  Baptist  denomination,  it 
may  be  said  that  he  had  always  been  regarded  as  an  advocate  of  open  communion. 

The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  O.  P.  Gifford,  who  worthily  fills  the  pulpit 
which  has  been  rendered  famous  by  the  long  array  of  faithful  men  whose  eloquence, 
piety,  and  faithful  labor  hallow  this  ancient  church.  He  was  installed  in  March, 
1879.  During  his  short  pastorate,  300  members  have  accepted  the  baptismal 
rite  here,  and  the  sum  of  $81,000  has  been  collected  for  the  various  needs  of  the 
organization.  Thus  this  old  church  appears  to  be  renewing  its  strength,  and  enter- 
ing on  a  new  era  of  spiritual  prosperity.  The  present  membership  is  625  ;  the 
Sunday  School  membership  750.  The  regular  Sabbath  services  are  not  only  well 
attended,  but  so  many  persons  are  usually  turned  away  from  them  for  want  of 
room,  that  an  enlargement  of  the  building  is  anticipated. 

Church  Officers: — Pastor:  Rev.  O.  P.  Gifford  ;  Clerk:  Ernest  B.  Pratt; 
Treasurer:  Geo.  E.  pj'cker;  Deacons:  Geo.  L.  Norris,  Joseph  Sawyer,  Paul  F. 
Folsom,  Wm.  E.  Smith,  Luther  P.  Wiggin,  Geo.  E.  Ricker,  Harry  Hinman,  Con- 
ray  P.  Hall,  Oliver  M.  Wentworth. 


20  CHl'RCIIES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Charles  Street  Baptist  Church. 


At  the  commencement  of  the  present  century  there  were  but  two  Baptist 
churches  in  the  then  Town  of  Boston  —  the  First  church,  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  eminent  and  pohshed  Dr.  Samuel  Stillman,  and  the  Second,  under  that  of 
the  equally  eminent,  but  more  disputative,  Dr.  Thomas  Baldwin.  These  two 
godly  men,  though  widely  differing  in  their  mental  constitution,  were  entirely  at 
one  in  their  zeal  in  the  service  of  God,  and,  recognizing  that  the  growing  needs 
of  the  town  demanded  an  additional  church,  they  bestirred  themselves  to  secure 
such  an  organization,  and  to  establish  it  in  the  western  section,  where  at  that  time 
it  was  most  required,  especially  for  the  purpose  of  providing  for  the  spiritual  wants 
of  East  Cambridge,  Cambridgeport,  Brookline,  and  Roxbury.  They  had  no 
unworthy  motives  to  inspire  them  to  this  work.  They  simply  wished  to  provide  the 
means  of  grace  for  a  new  part  of  the  city  and  its  contiguous  towns. 

In  the  spring  of  1S07  these  efforts  developed  into  actual  result.  A  commit- 
tee, organized  for  the  purpose,  sent  a  letter  to  the  two  churches,  to  enquire  how 
many  of  their  members  were  willing  to  take  letters  of  dismissal,  in  order  to  form 
the  proposed  new  church  on  Charles  street.  Nineteen  signatures  were  obtained 
from  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  and  five  from  the  First  church,  thus  making  a 
total  membership  for  the  new  society  of  twenty-four.  All  these,  it  is  safe  to  say, 
were  actuated  by  the  same  feelings  which  instigated  the  two  venerable  men  who 
were  the  source  of  the  movement ;  namely,  a  pure  desire  to  extend  the  cause  of 
Christ.  The  names  of  those  who  may  be  considered  as  the  first  incorporators  of 
the  Charles  Street  Church  were  :  Thomas  Kendall,  Samuel  Adams,  and  Heman 
Lincoln. 

On  the  seventh  of  August,  1807,  public  worship  commenced  in  the  com- 
pleted church,  at  the  corner  of  Charles  and  Mount  Vernon  streets  ;  and  this  date 
may  be  taken  as  that  of  the  organization  of  this  church,  which  has  been,  through- 
out its  long  career,  so  important  a  factor  in  the  religious  history  of  Boston,  and 
around  which  cling  so  many  sacred  memories.  The  services  on  this  occasion  were 
conducted  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Grafton,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Baldwin,  and  the  Rev. 
Lucius  BoUes. 

The  church,  when  organized,  was  at  first  known  as  "The  Third  Baptist 
Church,"  and  continued  to  bear  this  title  for  a  considerable  time.     Subsequently, 


however,  the  question  arose,  whether  this  name  were  not  strictly  the  property  of 
the  colored  Baptist  church  on  Belknap  —  now  Joy  —  street.  In  order,  therefore,  to 
put  aside  any  dispute,  the  name  of  this  church  was  changed  from  "  The  Third  Bap- 
tist Church  "  to  that  of  ''  The  Charles  Street  Baptist  Church,"  which  name  it  has 
since  borne. 

The  first  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Caleb  Blood,  of  Shaftsbury,  Vermont,  who 
remained  only  two  years,  resigning  in  1809. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  venerable  and  illustrious  Dr.  Daniel  Sharp,  who, 
though  an  Englishman  by  birth,  became  an  integral  part  of  the  religious  commun- 
ity of  Boston ;  made  a  monumental  name  in  the  Baptist-  denomination  of  the 
United  States ;  and  became  also,  very  widely  known  generally  as  a  most  graceful 
and  eloquent  speaker. 

At  this  time  Dr.  Sharp  was  in  charge  of  a  church  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  and, 
while  e?i  route  to  Haverhill,  Mass.,  preached  a  sermon — on  September  2,  1809  — 
in  the  Charles  Street  Church.  From  the  strong  impression  then  created,  arose, 
after  a  considerable  time,  an  unanimous  call  from  this  church  to  him  to  accept  the 
pastorate.  This  call  he  finally  accepted,  and,  on  April  29,  1812,  he  was  installed 
as  pastor.  The  pastorate  of  this  truly  reverend  man,  then  begun  in  the  Charles 
Street  Church  of  Boston,  was  a  long  and  eventful  one.  It  lasted  forty-one  years, 
terminating  only  with  his  death  on  June  23,  1853.  During  this  long  period 
many  things  were  done  to  promote  Christianity  in  Boston,  in  all  of  which  this  par- 
ent church  bore  well  its  part  under  its  noble  leader ;  but  the  true  results  of  this 
pastorate  eternity  alone  will  show. 

It  is  not  possible  here  to  do  more  than  notice  some  of  the  many  religious, 
benevolent,  and  educational  enterprises  with  which  Dr.  Sharp  and  the  Charles 
Street  Church  were  intimately  connected,  and  in  not  a  few  of  which  they  took  the 
initiative.  The  Evangelical  Tract  Society  was  an  emanation  from  Charles  Street 
Church,  and  was  organized  under  the  management  of  Dr.  Sharp,  even  before  his 
installation.  In  this,  as  in  many  other  noble  works,  the  name  of  Heman  Lincoln 
also  occupies  a  distinguished  place.  In  a  still  more  important  department  of 
Christian  labor — that  of  missionary  effort — this  church  and  its  pastor  were 
equally  active.  Dr.  Sharp's  pen  and  voice  were  continually  employed  in  this  field, 
inciting  to  work  on  behalf  of  the  Christless  millions  in  pagan  lands,  and,  in  the 
grand  work  of  foreign  missions,  his  name  stands  out  almost  as  brilliantly  as  that  of 
Adoniram  Judson,  the  first  American  missionary.  In  conjunction  with  Dr.  Sharp, 
in  mission  work,  were  the  Rev.  Lucius  Bolles,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  and, 
again,  Mr.  Heman  Lincoln. 

The  Massachusetts  Baptist  Education  Society  was  another  pious  enterprise 
which  sprung  from  the  same  source.  It  was  organized,  in  September,  18 14,  to 
provide  suitable  education  for  candidates  for   the   gospel   ministry.     From  this 


2  2  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

society  subsequently  grew  the  The  Northern  Ijaptist  Education  Society,  a  larger 
establishment  of  the  same  kind,  and,  still  later,  The  Theological  College  at  Water- 
ville.     All  these  finally  developed  into  that  well-known  school  of  clergymen,  The. 
Newton  Theological  Institution.     The  names  of  Deacons  Batchelder,  of  Lynn, 
and  Farwell,  of  Cambridge,  deserve  mention  in  connection  with  this  matter. 

On  June  i6,  1816,  a  Sunday  School  was  commenced,  for  the  purpose  of  giving, 
not  merely  a  religious,  but  also  a  general,  education  to  poor  children,  as  a  prepa- 
ration for  the  "  grammar  schools  "  of  that  time,  which  were  analogous  to  the  pub- 
lic schools  of  the  present  day.  This  was  the  germ  from  which  emanated  the 
formation  of  the  primary  schools  of  Boston.  The  Fatherless  and  Widows  Society 
was  also  created  by  the  Charles  Street  Church,  about  the  year  1820. 

The  first  Baptistry  in  Boston  or  its  vicinity,  and  one  of  the  first  Church  Organs, 
were  erected  in  this  church  :  the  former  in  1827,  and  the  latter  in  1829. 

The  faithful  pastor  continued  to  care  affectionately  for  his  charge — ever 
active  and  prominent  in  every  good  word  and  work  —  until  his  death  in  1853. 
During  his  ministrations  Charles  Street  Church  was  a  center  of  religious  attrac- 
tion, and  was  invariably  crowded  with  an  attentive  and  devout  congregation. 

The  pastors  who  followed  were,  first,  the  Rev.  J.  C.  Stockbridge,  D.  D.,  who 
had  the  care  of  the  church  from  1853  until  1861.  He  was  succeeded  by  the 
well-known  Rev.  Dr.  William  Hague,  who  occupied  the  pulpit  from  1862  till 
1864.  The  last  installed  pastor  was  the  Rev.  William  V.  Garner,  who  was  set- 
tled in  1866,  and  resigned  in  1875.  For  the  remainder  of  the  time  during  which 
public  worship  was  continued  in  this  church,  the  devotions  were  led  by  tempo- 
rary supplies. 

In  common  with  most  of  the  older  churches  of  Boston,  this  church  found 
its  membership  becoming  gradually  depleted ;  firstly,  by  the  repeated  dismissals 
from  its  body  to  form  other  churches,  and  again  by  the  removal  of  many  more  to 
the  newer  parts  of  the  city.  So  much  reduced  was  the  attendance,  that  at  no 
time  during  the  concluding  months,  were  there  more  than  fifty  persons  present 
at  any  time.  The  loss  of  members  also  had  diminished  its  revenues,  so  that  the 
continuance  of  its  ministrations  was  accomplished,  during  the  last  few  years  of 
its  active  existence,  only  by  incurring  a  heavy  debt.  Under  these  adverse  cir- 
cumstances, it  was,  after  much  discussion,  finally  decided  to  discontinue  the  pub- 
lic services  of  the  church,  which  ceased  altogether  in  July,  1876.  The  church 
building  was  sold  to  the  First  African  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  (colored,) 
which  now  (1883)  worships  there. 

This  aged  parent  church  still  maintains  its  corporate  existence,  though  without 
a  pastor  or  officers,  and  without  a  meeting-house.  Its  present  members  num- 
ber about  seventy-eight.  The  management  of  its  secular  affairs  is  in  the  hands 
of  seven  trustees,  from  whose  careful  management  of  its  resources  may  result  the 


THE    CHARLES   STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  23 

re-establishment  of  its  active  life.  That  this  may  be  accomplished  is  the  earnest 
desire  of  many  in  whose  hearts  the  memory  of  the  palmy  days  of  this  venerable 
sanctuary  is  enshrined. 

In  order  to  show  the  important  part  taken  by  this  old  church  in  the  forma- 
tion of  other  churches,  the  following  list  is  added  : — 

In  1817,  twenty-one  members  were  dismissed  to  form  a  church  at  Cam- 
bridgeport.  In  1821,  eleven  members  were  dismissed  to  the  organization  of  the 
Roxbury  Baptist  Church,  now  known  as  the  Dudley  Street  Church.  In  1827  the 
Federal  Street  Church  was  constituted  —  now  known  as  the  Clarendon  Street 
Church.  Thirty  members  took  letters  of  dismissal  to  assist  in  the  formation  of 
this  church,  and  with  them  went  about  fifty  more  of  the  congregation.  Shortly 
afterwards  eight  more  received  letters  to  the  same  church.  The  major  portion  of 
the  original  constituent  members  of  the  Federal  Street  Church  were  drawn  from 
Charles  Street.  In  1839,  twenty-eight  went  to  form  the  Harvard  Street  Church, 
and  with  them  went  also  more  than  one  hundred  of  the  congregation.  In  1841-2, 
thirty-eight  were  sent  to  join  other  churches  in  the  city,  several  of  them  to  the 
Bowdoin  Square  Church.  These  again,  took  with  them  many  of  the  general  con- 
gregation. Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  this  church  has  indeed  been  "  a  fruitful 
vine,"  which  has  given  its  ripest  fruit  to  forward  the  growth  and  extension  of  the 
Kingdom  of  The  Cross.  Though  its  record  is  now  probably,  practically  closed, 
it  has  been  a  most  honorable  and  useful  one ;  and  its  name  occupies  a  sacred 
niche  in  the  history  of  the  Christian  community  of  New  England,  and  especially 
in  that  of  the  Baptist  denomination. 


24  CHURCHES   OF    liOSTON. 


The  Bowdoin  Square  Baptist  Church. 


In  the  month  of  July,  1839,  the  property  then  standing  on  the  site  of  the 
present  Bowdoin  Square  Baptist  Church  was  offered  for  sale,  and  attracted  the 
attention  of  a  number  of  Baptist  laymen,  who  were  seeking  a  location  for  a  new 
church.  The  then  existing  city  churches  were  crowded  to  their  utmost  capacity, 
and  it  was  thought  that  the  time  had  come  for  the  erection  of  another  house  of 
worship,  occupying  some  intermediate  situation  between  the  First  and  Charles 
Street  churches. 

This  site  was  particularly  noticed,  because  it  was  placed  at  an  exactly  suitable 
distance  from  the  other  churches ;  because  the  position  was  most  desirable  ;  and 
because  it  was  surrounded  by  a  population  for  whom  it  had  become  a  duty  to  pro- 
vide the  means  of  salvation. 

The  ground  was  accordmgly  bought  by  some  wealthy  Baptists,  for  $24,120, 
and  the  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  laid  on  April  9,  1840.  The  size  of  the 
ground  was  at  that  time  122  feet  on  Chardon  street,  and  77  feet  on  Bowdoin 
Scjuare,  but  the  lot  was  afterwards  reduced  when  the  Square  was  widened  by  the 
city.  The  building  was  dedicated,  and  the  church  publicly  recognized  in  No\'em- 
ber  of  the  same  year.  It  "  was  erected,"  as  the  silver  plate  placed  under  the 
corner-stone  sets  forth,  "  by  the  voluntary  subscriptions  of  members  of  the  vari- 
ous Bai)tist  churches  and  congregations  in  Boston."  And,  as  said  at  the  time,  it 
was  "  for  the  use  of  a  church  yet  to  be  formed,  and  a  congregation  yet  to  be 
assembled."  The  building  is  a  most  substantial  one,  and  has  a  most  massive 
appearance,  being  fronted  with  heavy  undressed  granite.  It  is  98  1-4  feet  in 
length,  including  the  projection  of  the  tower,  by  73  1-2  feet  in  width.  The  tower 
projects  10  feet  from  the  main  building;  it  is  28  feet  square,  and  no  feet  high. 
The  entire  cost  of  the  house  and  furniture,  including  the  organ,  was  a  little  over 
$70,000. 

As  the  building  drew  near  completion,  the  creation  of  a  membership  became 
the  subject  of  consideration.  In  order  to  select  members  from  the  other  churches 
to  form  the  basis  of  the  new  church  —  a  somewhat  difficult  matter,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  strong  attachment  of  the  congregations  to  their  churches  and  min- 
isters —  a  meeting  was  called  from  among  the  members  of  the  old  cliurches,  and 
was  held  in  the  vestry  in  Bowdoin  Square,  on  the  17th  of  September,  1840,  under   ^ 


THE  BOWDOIN    SQUARE   BAPTIST    CHURCH. 


25 


the  leadership  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Sharp,  and  the  Rev.  Baron  Stow.  Articles  of 
Faith  and  a  covenant  were  agreed  upon,  and  one  hundred  and  thirty-four  members 
of  the  other  churches  agreed  to  accept  dismission  from  their  own  churches,  and 
join  themselves  together  to  form  a  constituency  for  the  new  church.  Among 
many  names  of  those  who  were  active  in  the  foundation  and  support  of  this 
church,  perhaps  none  deserves  more  honorable  mention  than  that  of  Deacon  Asa 
Wilbur,  who,  from  its  inception  until  his  death  in  1878  at  the  ripe  age  of  86,  was 
devoted  to  its  interests.  The  contingents  supplied  by  the  various  churches  of  the 
city,  and  of  other  places,  were  as  follows,  viz.  : — 

The  First  Church,  21;  Baldwin  Place,  76;  Charles  Street,  12;  Federal 
Street  17;  Boylston  (afterwards  Harvard  Street),  2;  West  Baptist,  3;  New 
Hampton,  N.  H.,   i;  Free  Street,  Portland,  2.     Total,  134. 


BOWDOIN    SQUARE    BAPTIST   CHUKCH    IN    184I. 

Prayer  meetings  were  held  in  the  vestry  before  the  final  completion  of  the 
building,  but  after  the  dedication,  for  about  eight  or  nine  months,  services  were 
regularly  held  in  the  church  proper,  the  pulpit  being  supplied  by  the  city  pastors. 

In  December,  of  the  opening  year  (1840),  an  invitation  was  extended  to 
Dr.  Welsh,  of  Albany,  to  take  the  charge  of  the  parish,  which  was  shortly  after- 
ward declined. 

In  the  spring  of  1841,  a  call  to  the  pastorate  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  Rob- 
ert  W.  Cushman,  then  of  Philadelphia.      This  call  was  accepted  by  him  on 


26  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

June  5,  1 84 1,  and  he  was  duly  installed  in  July.  On  the  first  of  August,  the  Bap- 
tistry was  used  for  the  first  time,  wIk^u  three  persons  received  the  solemn  rite  of 
the  mystic  "  burial  with  Christ."  On  the  fifteenth  of  September  the  church  was 
received  into  the  Boston  Baptist  Association,  at  which  time  it  numbered  148  mem- 
bers. Under  the  pastorate  of  the  erudite  and  scholarly  Mr.  Cushman  the  church 
progressed  steadily  in  numbers,  wealth,  and  eificienc}- ;  which  success  was  the 
more  gratifying  to  its  promoters,  because  the  establishing  of  such  a  church  was, 
at  tliat  time,  for  the  amount  of  pecuniary  responsibility  involved  in  it,  without  a 
parallel  in  the  denomination.  Very  shortly  after  the  commencement  of  the  pas- 
torate, the  house  was  well  filled,  and  it  became  evident  that  the  Word  of  Truth 
was  having  its  due  effect  on  many  hearts. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Cushman  at  Bowdoin  Square  Church  is  also  important 
and  remarkable  because  it  began  about  the  time  of  the  most  extensive  and  perhaps 
the  greatest,  religious  revival  which  has  been  known  in  the  United  States,  and 
which  continued  from  early  in  1841  to  1843  j  ^I'ld  ^^^o  because  of  the  part  taken 
by  the  evangelist,  the  Rev.  Jacob  Knapp,  in  that  revival  in  Boston  and  particu- 
larly ill  Bowdoin  Square  Church.  Great  diversity  of  opinion  arose  with  regard  to 
this  bold  and  uncompromising  preacher  of  the  Gospel  throughout  New  England, 
and  while  many  were  pleased  with  him,  very  many,  both  inside  the  church  as  well 
as  outside,  were  greatly  offended.  About  the  first  of  January,  1842,  Mr.  Knapp 
came  to  Boston,  and  began  to  preach  at  the  First  Church,  of  which  the  Rev. 
Rolhn  H.  Neale  was  then  pastor,  after  which  he  preached  at  Baldwin  Place,  then 
under  the  ministrations  of  the  Rev.  Baron  Stow.  On  January  9th,  he  went  to 
Bowdoin  Square  Church,  and  it  was  while  here  that  he  met  his  fiercest  opposi- 
tion. Mobs  gathered  about  the  church,  as  they  did  in  the  olden  time  about  the 
synagogue  in  Lystra,  and  would  have  stoned  Mr.  Knapp  and  dragged  him  through 
the  city.  But  this  fearless  preacher  bore  himself  right  bravely,  and  kept  his  way 
in  humble  rehance  upon  God.  The  people  were  stirred  by  his  earnest  appeal,  and 
awed  by  his  sublime  courage.  Still  the  excitement  grew  more  intense  every  day, 
and  the  crowds  were  finally  dispersed  only  by  the  power  of  the  municipal  gov- 
ernment. 

Mr.  Cushman  resigned  his  charge  in  1846,  and  was  followed  by  several 
uneventful  pastorates.  The  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church  was  the  next  installed  pastor  ; 
he  was  settled  in  1848,  and  resigned  in  1852  ;  after  him,  in  1853,  was  the  Rev. 
William  H.  Wines,  who  left  the  pastorate  in  1857;  and  to  him  succeeded  the 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  N.  Murdock,  a  somewhat  prominent  clergyman,  of  Hartford,  Conn.  He 
retired  from  the  charge  in  1862,  and  is,  at  the  present  time,  the  Secretary  of  the 
American  Baptist  Missionary  Union.  The  next  pastor  after  Dr.  Murdock,  was 
the  Rev.  Orrin  T.  Walker,  who,  at  that  time  was  in  charge  of  a  church  at  Trenton, 
N.J.     The  labors  of  this  pastor  were  very  successful,  and  were  largely  blessed. 


THE   BOWDOIN   SQUARE   BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


27 


His  whole  pastorate  was,  more  or  less,  a  continuous  revival;  great  religious  inter- 
est was  experienced  in  the  church,  and  the  accessions  to  thd  membership  were  fre- 
quent and  numerous.  Though  not  possessing  all  the  brilliant  traits  which  have 
marked  many  of  his  contemporaries,  his  work  was  instrumental  in  building  up  and 
strenc^thening  this  important  church,  whicli  had  become  gready  weakened  by  the 
inertness  of  his  predecessors.  He  resigned  m  1868  to  accept  a  pastorate  in  Chi- 
cago, whence  he  afterwards  returned  to  Boston.  He  is  now  (1883)  m  charge  of 
the  Harvard  Street  Baptist  Church. 

The  next  two  pastorates  were  very  short,  and  wrought  but  htde  on  the  pros- 
perity of  the  church.  They  were  those  of  the  R..-.  G.  F.  Warren-who,  sorne 
lime  afterwards  was  the  pastor  of  the  Central  Square  Baptist  Church,  and  the 
founder  of  the  Trinity  Baptist  Church  in  East  Boston -and  the  Rev.  D.  M. 
Reeves.  The  former  lasted  but  eight  months,  and  the  latter  one  year.  Mr. 
Reeves  subsequenUy  joined  the  Presbyterian  church. 

On  November  5,  1872,  the  Rev.  Charles  Y.  Swan  was  called  to,  and 
accepted  the  charge  of,  the  church.  He  was  a  son  of  the  well-known  evangelist, 
Elder  Tabez  Swan,  of  Connecticut.  The  labors  of  this  pastor  were  very  greatly 
blessed  Another  lengthened  revival  was  experienced,  and  many  were  converted 
to  God  Mr  Swan's  pastorate  lasted  for  about  five  years,  terminating  May  i, 
1876  when  he  removed  to  a  church  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  where  he  died  in  1880 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  F.  B.  Dickinson,  who  became  pastor  March  10, 
1878  and  resigned  February  8,  1880,  in  order  to  take  a  charge  in  Ansonia,   Con- 
necticut     He  was  also  a  successful  leader  of  the  church,  continuing  and  extend- 
in.  the  good  work  begun  by  his  predecessor.     Both  these  pastorates  were  notable 
ones  and  did  much  to  increase  and  make  vigorous  the  spiritual  hfe  of  this  church. 
The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Downs,  who  came  to  the  office  in  1881. 
Mr  Downs  was  called  to  Bowdoin  Square  from   Orange,  N.  J.,   where  he  was 
assistant  to  the  Rev.  Edward  Judson.     Mr.  Downs,  in  the  earlier  part  of  his  life, 
W.S  engaged  in  secular  business  in  the  city  of  New  York,  and  was  led  into  the 
ministry  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  Young  Men's  Christian  Association  of 
thit  city  with  which  "arm  of  the  church  "  he  had  become  prominently  identified 
His  woric  in  this  church  has  been  thoroughly  worthy  of  this  important  charge,  and 
he  has  faithfully  carried  on  the  zealous  labors  of  those  who  went  before  him. 

In  concluding  the  history  of  this  church,  it  is  necessary  to  notice  the  great 
chan^^e  which  has  taken  place  in  the  general  character  of  jts  membership.  W  hen 
founded,  more  than  forty  years  ago,  it  was  the  centre  of  a  large  and  aristocratic 
residence  district,  and  drew  into  its  fold  a  great  number  of  fami hes,  whose  homes 
were  within  its  shadow.  The  congregation  in  those  days  was  of  the  old-lashioned 
family  sort ;  the  grave  and  sober  elders,  and  the  fresh  budding  youth,  -  father  and 
on  maL;  and  maid, -filed  into  its  portals  Sabbath  after  Sabbath  and  listened 


28  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

to  the  divine  message  in  company.  This  is  now  very  greatly  changed,  just  as  is 
the  surroundiog  neighborhood.  Most  of  the  early  churches  of  Boston  which 
originally  were  centrally  located  in  the  old  city  have  removed  bodily  —  both  build- 
ing and  congregation  — to  other  and  more  modern  districts,  and  their  old  sites  are 
now  filled  by  warehouses,  stores,  and  oiifices.  In  this  case  it  has  not  been  so. 
The  church  remains,  but  a  new  kind  of  hearers  now  attend  its  services.  The 
places  of  the  families  are  now  taken  almost  entirely  by  young  people  just  about 
commencing  the  stern  and  real  battle  of  life ;  many —  or,  indeed,  most  —  of 
them,  strangers  to  the  city,  who  have  come  from  other  places  to  struggle  for  an 
existence  here.  This  change  has  been  recognized  and  its  requirements  provided 
for  by  its  officers,  and  the  services  and  meetings  are  made  especially  suitable 
for  this  important  class.  ^Vhile  there  must  of  necessity  be  a  large  nomadic  ele- 
ment in  such  a  congregation,  the  opportunities  offered  by  it  for  disseminating  the 
sacred  seed  of  the  gospel  are  almost  infinitely  extended.  All  the  seats  are  free, 
and  the  church  has  for  several  years  been  supported  entirely  by  voluntary  contri- 
butions. It  has  become,  under  these  conditions,  more  prosperous  than  at  any 
previous  period  of  its  history. 

The  present  active  membership  of  the  church  numbers  about  522.  The 
Sabbath  School  attendance  is  550. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  Rev.  W.  W.  Downs  ;  Pastoral  Committee  : 
Joseph  Story,  A.  F.  Graves,  G.  F.  Paine,  S.  A.  Wilbur  ;  Treasurer  :  A.  F.  Graves  ; 
Clerk  :  E.  P.  Coleman  ;  Superintendent  Sunday  School :  Joseph  Story. 


0 


e*% 


THE   CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH. 


29 


The  Clarendon  Street  Church, 

Clarendon,  Cor.  Montgomery  Street. 


About  the  year   1820,   the  subject  of  estabHshing  a  new  Baptist  church  in 
Boston,  more  central  than  either  of  the  others,  began  to  engage  the  attention  of 


CLARENDON     STREET    CHURCH. 


a  few  earnest  brethren.  Partly  with  this  view,  and  partly  to  provide  gospel 
instruction  in  a  destitute  vicinity,  meetings  for  prayer  and  public  worship  were 
instituted  in  the  then  south-eastern  part  of  the  city,   and  continued  for  several 


3  0  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

years,  with  various  degrees  of  encouragement.  In  August,  182 1,  was  formed 
"The  Baptist  Society  for  Promoting  MoraHty  and  Piety  in  Boston,"  which,  in 
October,  1828,  assumed  the  name  of  the  "Boston  Baptist  Evangelical  Society." 
By  this  society,  meetings  were  maintained  in  a  convenient  hall  over  the  "  Ship 
Market,"  in  Purchase  street,  supplied  by  Mr.  E.  Lincoln  and  others,  till  the  Rev. 
R.  W.  Cushman  was  engaged,  who  for  a  number  of  months  regularly  occupied 
the  station.  In  April,  1826,  the  spacious  "Julien  Hall,"  on  Milk  street,  was  pro- 
cured, where  the  meetings  were  continued  till  they  were  removed  into  the  meet- 
ing-house then  in  course  of  erection. 

Early  in  1825,  active  measures,  in  which  a  cordial  interest  was  manifested  by 
the  pastors  and  members  of  the  three  existing  churches,  began  to  be  taken  with 
reference  to  erecting  a  Central  Baptist  Meeting-house.     On  the  23d  of  February, 

1825,  a  number  of  brethren,  impressed  with  the  importance  of  the  object,  met  at 
the  house  of  Dr.  Baldwin,  for  consultation  and  prayer ;  and  so  great  was  the 
interest  felt  by  those  present  that  the  sum  of  eight  thousand  dollars  was  volunta- 
rily pledged  toward  the  accomplishment  of  the  object. 

On  the  28th  of  the  same  month  a  general  meeting  was  held  at  the  vestry  of 
the  Second  Baptist  Church,  at  which  the  pastors  of  the  three  then  existing 
churches  and  a  large  number  of  friends  was  present.  Dr.  Baldwin  presided. 
Having  sought  divine  direction  and  maturely  considered  the  subject,  "  it  was 
voted  unanimously,  that,  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  it  is  expedient  to  attempt 
the  erection  of  a  new  Baptist  meeting-house  in  this  city." 

Committees  were  appointed  to  receive  subscriptions,  and  report  a  location  ; 
and  it  was  "  voted  that  when  a  church  should  be  formed  to  worship  in  the  pro- 
posed house,  having  the  fellowship  of  the  other  Baptist  churches  in  Boston,  the 
deed  of  the  house  should  be  given  to  the  church,  as  a  Calvinistic  Baptist  Church, 
to  be  held  by  them  while  three  male  members  remain  adhering  to  these  senti- 
ments." 

A  site  for  the  building  was  purchased  on  Federal  street,  near  Milk  street,  at 
two  dollars  per  foot,  amounting  in  all  to  ^15,348.     On  the  25th  of  September, 

1826,  the  comer-stone  of  the  building  was  laid,  with  appropriate  religious  services. 
In  the  early  part  of  May,  18.27,  the  Building  Committee  informed  the  exist- 
ing churches  of  the  forward  state  of  the  house,  and  requested  a  meeting  of  those 
interested,  to  consult  as  to  what  course  should  be  persued  with  reference  to  the 
formation  of  a  church.  Immediate  steps  were  taken  with  this  object  in  view,  and 
on  the  17th  of  May,  1827,  the  first  preliminary  meeting  was  held.  At  this  meet- 
ing the  pastors  and  one  deacon  from  each  of  the  churches  met  with  the  brethren. 
After  several  subsequent  meetings  for  consultation  and  prayer,  sixty-five  brethren 
and  sisters  harmoniously  associated,  and  were  cordially  dismissed  from  the  Second 
and  Charles  Street  churches  to  compose  the  new  church. 


tana 


THE    CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH.  31 

On  Monday,  July  i6,  1827,  a  council  was  convened  with  reference  to  the 
recognition  of  the  church,  consisting  of  the  pastors  and  delegates  of  the  three 
Baptist  churches  of  Boston,  and  the  Charlestown,  Cambridge,  Roxbury,  and  New- 
ton churches. 

"The  meeting-house,"  says  the  record  in  the  Baptist  Missionary  Magazine, 
"  is  a  neat  and  spacious  edifice,  built  of  brick,  74  feet  wide  and  86  feet  long, 
including  the  porch.  It  has  a  basement  story,  containing  a  large  and  convenient 
vestry,  two  rooms  for  candidates  to  prepare  for  baptism,  and  three  large  rooms  for 
other  purposes.  In  front  of  the  pulpit  is  a  baptistry.  There  are  117  pews  on  the 
lower  floor,  and  34  in  the  gallery.  A  cupola  is  erected,  and  accommodates  a  bell 
weighing  1,635  pounds."     The  house  was  dedicated  on  July  18,  1827. 

The  Sabbath  School  was  regularly  organized,  after  leaving  "Julien  Hall,"  at  a 
meeting  called  for  the  purpose,  in  the  lecture-room,  at  which  Ensign  Lincoln  pre- 
sided, on  October  the  21st,  1827.  The  school  regularly  held  two  sessions  on  the 
Sabbath,  commencing  at  the  "  ringing  of  the  first  bell,"  one  hour  previous  to  the 
church  service,  morning  and  afternoon. 

Until  about  this  time  the  brethren  had  not  been  able  to  fix  their  minds  on 
any  minister  as  their  spiritual  guide  ;  and  this  fact  had  added  much  to  the  sacrifice 
made  by  such  as  had  given  themselves  to  this  cause.  The  Rev.  Howard  Malcom, 
at  that  time  general  agent  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  having  visited 
this  city  on  the  business  of  that  society  a  few  weeks  before  the  constitution  of  the 
church,  became  known  to  the  brethren,  and  he  was  invited,  August  29,  1827,  by 
a  unanimous  call,  to  the  care  of  the  church  and  society.  After  returning  to  the  city 
to  learn  the  path  of  duty  by  a  few  weeks'  residence  among  the  people,  the  invitation 
was  accepted,  October  i6th,  and  he  entered  upon  his  labors  November  13,  1827. 

Mr.  Malcom 's  labors  were  blessed  in  a  remarkable  degree  in  drawing  a  large, 
intelligent  congregation,  composed  in  a  great  measure  of  those  who  had  not  been 
heretofore  accustomed  to  attend  Baptist  preaching.  Pews  were  in  great  demand, 
and  almost  every  available  seat  in  the  house  was  occupied.  Large  and  constant 
additions  were  made  to  the  church  from  month  to  month  throughout  his  entire 
pastorate.  Mr.  Malcom  was  an  excellent  pastor ;  he  was  skilful  in  the  discipline 
of  the  church,  and  in  the  training  of  its  members  to  work  for  the  Master.  He 
was  much  interested  in  ministerial  education,  and  often  exhorted  the  young  men 
to  consider  the  question  whether  they  should  not  devote  themselves  to  the  work 
of  the  ministry  ;  and  in  hi^  public  ministrations  he  was  accustomed  to  pray  that 
they  might  be  led  to  a  right  decision  on  the  subject.  The  result  was,  that  at  one 
time  there  were  no  less  than  twelve  young  men,  connected  with  the  church,  in  a 
course  of  study  with  reference  to  the  Gospel  ministry. 

Among  the  early  additions  to  the  church  were  a  number  of  persons  residing 
in  that  part  of  the  city  called  South  Boston,  where  meetings  had  been  maintained 


3  2  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

by  the  Evangelical  Society,  from  the  time  when  their  efforts  in  relation  to  this 
church  terminated.  "  These  persons  were,  on  the  aSth  of  August,  i82(S,  empow- 
ered, in  conjunction  with  a  committee  of  three  brethren,  to  hold  church  meetings 
for  business  on  their  side  of  the  bridge,"  and  to  be  known  as  the  "  South  Brancli 
of  the  Federal  Street  Baptist  Church."  Their  place  of  meeting  proving  too  small, 
the  members  of  this  church  and  congregation,  assisted  by  a  few  other  friends, 
erected  a  meeting-house,  seventy-two  feet  by  fifty-seven,  which  was  dedicated 
July  2  2,  1830,  in  which  were  regularly  maintained  the  stated  Ordinances  of  the 
Gospel.  The  divine  blessing  evidently  descended  on  this  branch  of  the  church, 
not  only  in  the  peace  and  edification  of  the  members,  but  in  the  conversion  of 
souls,  and  growth  of  the  congregation.  On  the  ist  of  March,  1831,  it  was 
deemed  expedient  that  these  members  be  formed  into  a  church.  The  measure 
was  adopted  with  perfect  unanimity,  and  fifty-five  brethren  and  sisters  were  affec- 
tionately dismissed  to  constitute  the  "  South  Baptist  Church  of  the  City  of  Bos- 
ton." 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church,  held  on  the  29th  of  January,  1828,  "  the  pro- 
priety of  introducing  an  organ,  for  music,  as  an  aid  to  this  part  of  divine  ser\'ice, 
was  discussed, —  after  which,  it  having  been  proposed  by  several  individuals  to 
purchase  an  organ  on  shares,  and  allow  the  society  the  use  of  it  one  year  with- 
out charge,  it  was  resolved,  that  this  church  does,  on  their  part,  accept  the  pro- 
posal, and  authorizes  the  Proprietors'  Committee,  when  the  Proprietors  shall  have 
concurred,  to  accept  the  said  organ,  with  the  expectation  that  it  be  made  subser- 
vient to  the  choir ;  and  reserving  to  themselves  the  privilege,  if  at  the  end  of 
six  months  they  become  dissatisfied  with  its  use,  to  cancel  this  vote." 

An  organ,  built  by  Thomas  Appleton,  was  procured  and  placed  in  the  house. 
the  first  in  any  Baptist  house  in  Boston,  and  probably  in  New  England,  and  it  was 
retained  until  displaced  by  one  of  a  larger  size. 

In  the  spring  of  1831,  the  pastor's  health  became  so  much  impaired  that  a 
voyage  to  Europe  was  deemed  requisite.  During  his  absence  of  eight  months, 
the  fruits  of  his  faithful  and  affectionate  ministrations  exhibited  themselves  in  a 
most  interesting  revival,  which  embraced  a  large  portion  of  the  most  prominent 
young  persons  in  the  congregation. 

Soon  after  the  pastor's  return,  with  partially  improved  health,  he,  with  his 
church,  was  called  upon  to  mourn  the  death  of  his  two  most  efficient  auxil- 
iaries. Mr.  Ensign  Lincoln,  whose  active  and  constant  exertions  were  identifietl 
with  the  origin  and  support  of  the  society,  died  December  2,  1832.  The  society 
may  justly  be  said  to  be  indebted  to  his  fostering  care  fpr  its  survival  through  the 
precarious  period  of  infancy.  He  was  a  resource  in  every  emergency.  He  par- 
ticipated affectionately  and  acceptably  in  the  labors  of  the  pulpit,  and  in  the  pas- 
toral care.     He  was  the   main,  because   the   constant,  supporter  of   the  social 


THE   CLARENDON   STREET   CHURCH.  33 

meeting.  To  him  the  pastor  might  ahvays  resort  for  prompt  and  jjrudent  counsel, 
and  willing  personal  service.  He  made  religion  his  glory  ;  and  perhaps  no  man 
has  ever  died  more  universally  acknowledged  a  consistent  i)rofessor  and  a  devoted 
Christian. 

Mrs.  Lucy  M.  Malcom,  wife  of  the  pastor,  died  January  15,  1833.  This  was 
a  severe  loss  to  both  pastor  and  church.  The  energy  and  ability  with  which  she 
managed  every  concern  in  which  she  engaged,  were  remarkable  ;  and  her  precept 
and  example  were  worthy  of  all  imitation.  Her  labors  in  the  Sabbath  School,  and 
her  active  interest  in  the  Education  of  the  Blind,  and  in  the  establishment  of 
Infant  Schools  and  Maternal  Associations,  will  be  long  remembered.* 

Further  trials  awaited  the  church.  An  affection  of  his  vocal  organs  silenced 
the  public  instruction  of  the  pastor,  and  resulted,  after  a  suspense  of  more  than  a 
year,  in  his  asking  a  dismission  from  his  pastoral  charge.  This  was  sorrowfully^ 
though  cordially,  granted  in  September,  1835,  under  the  conviction  that,  in  an 
appointment  which  was  immediately  tendered  him  to  visit  the  missionary  stations 
in  the  East,  God  had  provided  for  him  an  extensive  field  of  usefulness,  combined 
with  the  most  promising  course  for  the  complete  restoration  of  his  health. 

In  October,  1835,  a  unanimous  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  George  B.  Ide, 
of  Albany,  to  become  the  pastor.  This  invitation  was  accepted,  and  he  was 
installed,  December  30,  1835. 

In  the  autumn  of  1837,  Mr.  Ide  received  an  invitation  to  become  the  pastor 
of  the  First  Church  in  Philadelphia,  under  circumstances  which,  in  connection 
with  the  ill  health  of  his  wife,  induced  him  to  accept  it.  He  accordingly  resigned 
his  charge  over  this  church  in  December,  but  consented  to  continue  his  labors  a 
few  months  longer. 

After  invitations  had  been  extended  to  two  leading  clergymen  of  the  denom- 
ination,—  Drs.  Wayland  and  Sears, —  and  successively  declined,  in  consequence  of 
holding  offices  in  public  institutions  which  they  could  not  feel  it  their  duty  to 
resign,  the  Rev.  Handel  G.  Nott,  with  hesitation,  accepted  a  call  in  March,  1839, 
and  entered  immediately  upon  his  labors,  and  was  installed  May  23.  After  faith- 
fully laboring  one  year,  and  himself  judging  that  the  indications  to  continue  were 
not  decisive,  he,  in  the  Christian  spirit  which  characterized  all  his  labors  and 
intercourse,  tendered  his  resignation,  which,  upon  due  deliberation,  was  accepted. 

For  a  series  of  years  few  accessions  of  families  to  the  congregation  had  been 
made  ;  while  large  drafts  had  been  made  on  it  by  removals  from  the  city,  and  by 

*  The  Maternal  Association  formed  in  connection  with  this  church  was  the  first  in 
this  country,  and  was  instituted  hy  the  efforts  of  Mrs.  Malcom,  who  also  first  intro- 
duced Infant  Schools,  and,  in  co-operation  with  Dr.  J.  D.  Fisher,  originated  the  Blind 
Asyhim  movement,  which  resulted  in  the  establishment  of  the  great  "  Perkins  Insti- 
tution." 


34  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


new  churches  formed  m  the  city  about  this  time.  In  March,  1839,  thirty-one 
members,  many  of  them  heads  of  families,  .were  dismissed  to  unite  with  others  in 
forming  tlie  Boylston,  now  Harvard  Street,  Church  ;  and  in  the  following  April 
thirty-one  were  dismissed  at  the  formation  of  the  First  Baptist  Free,  now  the  Union 
Temple,  Baptist  Church,  worshi[)ing  in  the  Tremont  Temple.  In  the  autumn  of 
1839,  the  building  of  the  churc;h  in  Bowdoin  Square  was  undertaken,  to  which 
many  of  the  most  influential  and  wealthy  remaining  families  contemplated  giving 
their  support;  and  in  September,  1840,  nineteen  were  dismissed  to  that  interest. 

Under  such  deductions  in  power  and  numbers,  and  the  attractions  of  new 
interests  around  us,  the  temporal  concerns  of  the  church  and  society  assumed  a 
discouraging  aspect.  These,  together  with  the  natural  consetiuences  of  a  fretjuent 
change  of  pastor,  tended  to  induce  despondency,  which,  however,  yielded  to 
united  efforts  for  self-preservation. 

In  July,  1 840,  the  church  and  society  united  in  a  most  cordial  and  earnest 
invitation  to  the  Rev.  ^^'illiam  Hague,  of  Providence,  R.  I.  (formerly  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  in  this  city),  to  become  their  pastor.  He  acceded  to 
their  wishes,  and  entered  upon  his  labors  in  September  following. 

In  consequence  of  the  rapid  extension  of  the  city,  the  business  part  Jiad 
reached  the  region  where  the  meeting-house  was  situated,  and  all  the  dwellings  in 
the  vicinity  were  converted  into  warehouses  ;  so  that,  as  one  after  another  of  the 
congregation  disappeared  by  removal  and  other  ordinary  causes,  none  were  near 
to  supply  their  places.  The  difficulty,  therefore,  of  sustaining  the  interest,  under 
a  still  existing  debt  upon  the  house,  became  greater  and  greater  ;  while  at  the 
same  time,  and  from  the  same  cause,  the  estate  was  much  enhanced  in  value. 

Under  these  circumstances,  it  was  deemed  advisable  to  dispose  of  the  house 
and  land,  with  a  view  of  removing  to  a  more  eligible  location.  Accordingly,  April 
4,  1844,  the  Proprietors'  Committee  was  authorized  to  make  sale  of  the  estate, 
with  the  understanding  that  the  avails,  after  the  payment  of  debts,  should  be 
employed  in  the  erection  of  a  place  of  worship  elsewhere.  It  was  soon  disposed 
of,  and  public  worship  was  held  in  the  house  for  the  last  time  on  the  23d  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1845  ;  after  which  it  was  soon  demolished,  and  a  granite  block  of  stores, 
(numbering  7,  9,  11  and  13,)  was  erected,  and  now  occupies  the  lot. 

A  site  at  the  corner  of  Rowe  (now  Chauncy)  and  Bedford  streets  was  at 
length  secured,  at  $3.12^  per  foot,  and  a  liberal  subscription  was  made,  with  a 
view  of  erecting  a  good,  substantial,  and  appropriately  designed  edifice,  as  a  place 
of  worship.  The  corner-stone  was  laid,  accompanied  by  an  Address  by  Dr. 
Hague,  and  other  appropriate  religious  services,  on  the  morning  of  April  27,  1846. 
The  Church  Book,  containing  a  list  of  members,  Articles  of  Faith,  Church  Cov- 
enant, names  of  the  Building  Committee,  Architect,  etc.,  a  copy  of  the  Baptist 
religious  papers,  the  secular  papers  of  the   day.   and  various  other  articles,  were 


THE    CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH.  3  5 

deposited  under  the  corner-stone.  The  house  being  completed,  was  dedicated 
April  7,  1847,  and  occupied  on  the  next  Sabbath,  The  style  of  architec- 
ture was  of  the  pointed  arched  Gothic.  It  is  said  that  the  stern  old  New 
England  Puritans  dreaded  a  Gothic  arch  as  one  of  the  veritable  marks  of 
the  Papal  Beast.  It  is  not  a  little  odd,  therefore,  that  the  Baptists,  the  dissenters 
of  dissenters,  should  have  been  the  first  to  commit  the  scandal  of  erecting  in  Pur- 
itan Boston  a  pointed  Gothic  church.  However,  it  does  not  appear  that  the 
piety  of  the  church  deteriorated  under  the  innovation. 

By  an  act  of  the  legislature,  the  name  of  the  society  was  subsequently  changed 
to  the  "Rowe  Street  Baptist  Society,"  and  the  church  adopted  the  corresponding 
name. 

During  the  interval  of  twenty-two  months,  until  the  completion  of  the  lecture 
room  in  December,  1S46,  the  society  regularly  worshiped  for  a  time,  once  or 
twice  each  Sabbath,  in  Amory  Hall,  and  afterwards  in  the  "  Melodeon ;  "  and  dur- 
ing the  whole  period  the  commodious  lecture  room  of  St.  Paul's  (Episcopal) 
Church  was  most  kindly  and  liberally  granted  for  the  business  and  devotional 
meetings  of  the  church. 

A  few  months  after  entering  the  new  house,  the  pastor  became  convinced 
that  the  state  of  his  health  required  an  entire  suspension  of  ministeral  labors ; 
and  he  consequently  sent  an  unconditional  resignation  of  his  charge,  much  to  the 
surprise  and  regret  of  his  people.  An  unqualified  vote  was  immediately  passed 
by  b®th  church  and  society,  that  the  pastor  be  requested  to  retain  his  connection, 
and  to  take  such  time  as  he  might  judge  necessary  to  reestablish  his  health. 
To  this  he  assented  ;  and  after  an  interval  of  six  months,  during  which  the  pulpit 
was  most  acceptably  supplied,  his  people  had  the  satisfaction  of  welcoming  him 
back  to  resume  his  labors. 

In  the  summer  of  1848,  however,  Dr.  Hague  again  became  satisfied  that  the 
state  of  his  health  would  not  justify  his  continuance  as  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
accordingly  he  a  second  time  resigned,  leaving  no  hope  that  his  services  could  be 
retained.  His  resignation  was  accepted,  and  he  closed  his  labors  the  last  Sabbath 
in  July,  184S.  The  prospects  of  the  church  and  society  were  darkened  by  this 
event,  and  many  were  oppressed  by  a  feeling  of  discouragement.  Owing  to  a 
variety  of  unforeseen  circumstances,  a  debt  of  considerable  amount  had  been 
incurred  in  the  erection  of  the  new  place  of  worship,  and  fears  were  entertained 
by  some  that  it  could  not  be  liquidated  without  a  sale  of  the  property.  But 
it  was  resolved  to  make  a  vigorous  effort  to  sustain  the  enterprise.  The 
Rev.  Baron  Stow,  who  had  been  for  more  than  fifteen  years  pastor  of  the 
Baldwin  Place  Church  in  this  city,  had  been  compelled  by  the  severity  of  his 
labors,  and  the  consequent  failure  of  his  health,  to  retire  from  his  charge.  In  the 
autumn  of  1848,  the  attention  of  the  church  was  directed  to  him,  his  health  hav- 


r 


3  6  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

ing  much  improved,  and  accordingly  he  was  invited  by  the  cluirch  antl  society  to 
become  their  pastor.  With  much  soHcitude  as  to  the  result,  he  accepted  the  invita- 
tion, and  commenced  his  work  November  i,  1848, 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church,  April  29,  1851,  it  was  resolved  that,  on  tlie 
occasion  of  the  session  of  the  Missionary  Convention  in  this  city  a  social  reunion 
of  tliose  who  are  or  have  been  members  of  this  church,  on  some  evening  of  the 
convention  week,'  would  be  desirable.  In  consequence,  a  circular  inviting  present 
and  past  members  to  attend  such  a  meeting,  on  ^Vednesday  evening,  May  14, 
1S51,  was  sent  out. 

The  friends,  with  the  present  and  all  the  past  pastors,  assembled  in  large  num- 
bers at  the  church,  at  six  o'clock  p.  m.,  when  tea  was  served  ;  after  which  addresses 
were  made  by  each  of  the  pastors,  and  the  remainder  of  the  time  was  spent  in  social 
greetings,  singing,  etc.  Dr.  Maicom  remarked  in  his  address  that  "  there  were 
three  remarkable  things  about  the  meeting ;  the  first  was,  that  all  the  pastors  of  a 
church  as  old  as  this  should  be  living,  and  still  in  the  field  at  work ;  second,  that 
they  should  all  be  ready  to  accept  an  invitation  to  visit  the  church,  of  which  they 
had  once  been  pastors ;  and,  third,  the  most  remarkable  of  all,  was,  that  the 
church  should  be  willing  to  invite  them."  The  meeting  was  one  of  rare  interest, 
and  will  never  be  forgotten  by  those  present. 

From  this  date  (1S53)  prosperity  attended  the  church  for  some  years.  In 
1 85 8,  the  largest  number  were  added  by  baptism  and  by  letter  that  had  been 
received  in  any  one  year  for  six  years,  although  the  harvest  was  not  so  large  as 
many  other  churches  reaped,  as  the  result  of  the  revival  which  swept  over  the  land 
in  the  years  1S57  and  1858. 

The  Sabbath  School,  which  has  always  been  warmly  cherished  by  the  church, 
held  a  social  gathering  of  the  present  and  past  members,  in  the  church,  on  the 
2 2d  of  October,  i860.  On  Sunday,  the  day  previous  to  the  meeting,  the  pastor 
preached  a  sermon  preparatory  to  the  meeting  to  occur  on  the  following  day.  At 
3  o'clock,  on  Monday,  the  friends  gathered  in  large  numbers,  and  remained 
through  the  afternoon  and  evening,  tea  being  provided  in  the  lecture  room  at  7 
o'clock.  Addresses  were  made,  extracts  from  letters  received  from  a  distance, 
and  some  from  persons  near  at  hand,  unable  to  be  present,  were  read. 

The  additions  to  the  churcli  for  the  next  nine  years  were  quite  small,  and  all 
the  while  the  numbers  were  diminishing  and  the  church  made  weaker  by  removals 
out  of  or  into  distant  parts  of  the  city,  and  by  death  ;  to  which  must  be  added 
the  constant  diminishing  of  the  population,  by  the  unlooked-for  and  rapid 
encroachment  of  places  of  business ;  all  these  were  sources  of  great  anxiety  to 
both  pastor  and  people.  The  subject  also  of  removing  from  Rowe  street  was  con- 
stantly before  the  minds  of  the  people,  con\-inced  as  they  were  that  such  a  step  was 
near  at  hand  ;  and  at  one  time  a  proposition  from  the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church,  to 


THE   CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH.  37 


unite  the  two  cluirches,  was  under  consideration,  and  a  union  nearly  concluded, 
as  the  best  means,  it  was  thought,  of  continuing  its  own  prosperity  and  securing 
that  of  the  denomination  in  the  city ;  but  this  failed  of  accomplishment,  to  the 
manifest  advantage  of  both  churches  and  the  cause  at  large. 

In  the  month  of  May,  1867,  Dr.  Stow,  in  a  letter  read  to  the  congregation, 
resigned  his  office  as  pastor.  The  resignation  was  accepted,  but  by  the  request  of 
the  church  he  continued  to  supply  the  p'ulpit  for  some  months.  Thus  a  vacancy 
had  been  made  which  all  felt  it  would  be  difficult  to  fill.  This,  too,  added  much 
to  the  already  heavy  burden  resting  upon  the  comparatively  small  number  of  the 
brethren  who  remained. 

The  meetings  were  continued,  and  we  were  constantly  looking  and  praying 
that  one  might  be  sent  who  would  make  up  the  loss.  The  minds  of  some  had 
been  directed  to  the  Rev.  Adoniram  Judson  Gordon,  of  Jamaica  Plain,  and  in 
tlie  month  of  December  the  church  gave  him  a  hearty  and  unanimous  call  to 
become  its  pastor,  which,  after  serious  deliberation,  he  declined. 

Authority  having  been  given  by  the  Proprietors  to  their  Standing  Committee 
to  dispose  of  the  house  of  worship,  a  sale  was  effected  in  tlie  month  of  October, 
1867,  possession  to  be  given  in  the  month  of  July  following;  but  by  agi-eement, 
afterwards  made,  it  was  delivered  up  on  the  first  of  June. 

The  last  service  was  held  there  on  the  31st  day  of  May,  1868,  the  last  Sab- 
bath of  the  month.  Many  were  present  who  had  formerly  worshiped  with  them 
which  served  to  add  much  to  the  interest  of  the  occasion.  Sermons  were 
]ireached  by  Drs.  Hague  and  Stow,  and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  observed.  With 
these  and  other  services,  solemn  and  appropriate,  the  last  day  was  spent  in  the  old 
house. 

Very  cordial  invitations  had  been  extended  to  the  church,  by  four  sister 
churches,  to  occupy  their  houses  for  one  half  of  each  Sabbath,  and  their  vestries 
for  meetings  on  week  evenings.  As  the  people  would  be  better  accommodated 
there,  the  invitation  of  the  Baldwin  Place,  now  Warren  Avenue  Church,  was 
accepted,  and  the  first  service  was  held  in  their  church  on  the  first  Sabbath  after- 
noon of  June,  and  services  continued  there  till  the  third  Sabbatli  in  April,  1869. 
The  Sabbath  School  was  suspended,  and  such  teachers  and  scholars  as  chose  to 
attend  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  Warren  Avenue  Sabbath  School. 

The  church  held  together  well,  maintaining  a  spirit  of  earnest  prayer, —  the 
members  generally  feeling  that  a  heavy  responsibility  rested  upon  them.  After  the 
sale  of  the  house,  immediate  steps  were  taken  to  secure  a  new  location. 

After  a  thorough  search  and  careful  consideration,  it  was  decided  with  great 
unanimity  that  the  lot  on  the  corner  of  Clarendon  and  Montgomery  streets  was 
best  adapted  to  accommodate  the  people ;  accordingly  that  lot  was  secured,  and 
work  commenced  on  the  foundation  early  in  the  spring  of  1868,  under  the  direc- 


38  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 


tion  of  an  able  and  self-sacrificing  committee  of  the  society.  The  work  progressed 
successfully,  and  on  Saturday,  October  31,  1868,  the  corner-stone  was  laid  with 
appropriate  religious  services,  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr.  Stow,  and  in  which  Drs. 
Neale,  Hague,  and  Eddy  participated.  By  an  act  of  the  legislature  of  1 869,  the 
name  of  the  society  was  changed  to  the  "  Clarendon  Street  Baptist  Society,"  and 
by  a  vote  of  the  church,  the  corresponding  name  was  adopted. 

The  winter  of  1868  and  1869  was  quite  favorable  to  the  work  on  the  house, 
and  the  lecture  room  was  ready  for  occupaucy  in  April ;  and  the  church  met  in  it 
for  the  first  time,  Sunday,  April  25,  1869.  Dr.  Stow  and  Dr.  Hague  preached  on 
the  occasion,  and  the  Communion  service  was  observed.  The  Sabbath  School 
was  reorganized  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Eben  Shute,  and  has  since  been  going  on 
prosperously. 

The  church  in  the  month  of  July  renewed  the  call  to  Mr.  Gordon,  which,  to 
the  satisfaction  and  rejoicing  of  all,  he  accepted, —  his  term  of  service  commenc- 
ing November  i,  1869.  Although  performing  pastoral  service,  he  did  not  com- 
mence preaching  till  after  the  dedication  of  the  house.  The  house  was  dedicated 
on  Thursday  evening,  December  9th  ;  the  sermon  was  preached  by  the  pastor  ; 
many  ministers  were  present,  and  there  was  a  large  and  deeply  interested  congre- 
gation. 

The  house,  as  completed,  stands  on  a  lot  measuring  one  hundred  by  one 
hundred  and  twenty-five  feet.  It  is  substantially  built  of  brick,  with  light  free- 
stone trimmings  in  Gothic  style ;  it  has  a  tower  and  spire  rising  to  the  height  of 
some  two  hundred  feet ;  with  a  bell  and  clock,  the  former  being  the  munificent 
gift  of  one  of  the  members  of  the  church.  The  interior  is  finished  in  black  wal- 
nut, with  light  and  pleasing  frescoing.  There  are  two  hundred  pews,  furnishing 
seats  for  nearly  twelve  hundred  people.  The  arrangements  for  religious  meetings 
and  social  gatherings  in  the  basement  are  ample  and  complete.  The  organ, 
and  the  baptistry,  with  an  improved  mode  of  ingress  and  egress,  were  preserved 
for  use  in  the  present  house.  The  whole  cost  of  the  land  and  house  completely 
furnished,  was  $173,000,  of  which  there  was  realized  from  the  sale  of  the  old 
house  $86,736.25,  and  from  subscriptions,  which  were  liberal,  $61,839.60;  leav- 
ing a  temporary  mortgage  on  the  land  of  $25,000. 

In  the  dedication  services  it  was  expected  that  Dr.  Stow  would  participate, 
and  it  was  a  great  disappointment  when  it  was  known  at  the  last  moment  that 
what  was  supposed  to  be  a  slight  cold  would  prevent  his  presence.  Contrary  to 
the  expectation  of  his  family  and  friends,  his  sickness  increased,  until  it  took  the 
form  of  an  affection  of  the  brain,  from  which  he  never  rallied,  and  on*  Monday 
morning,  December  27,  1869,  the  morning  after  his  successor  had  been  recog- 
nized as  pastor  of  the  church,  he  went  to  his  rest.  The  funeral  services  took 
place  in  the  church,  Wednesday,  December  29,  in  the  presence  of  an  overflowing 


THE    CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH.  39 

congregation,  in  which  were  a  very  large  number  of  ministers  and  friends,  testify- 
ing to  the  strong  hold  he  had  taken  upon  the  minds  and  affections  of  the  people 
of  the  city  where  he  had  faithfully  labored  in  the  gospel  ministry  for  nearly  forty 
years.  He  left  behind  him  an  enviable  reputation  as  a  pastor,  a  pulpit  orator, 
a  successful  preacher  of  the  gospel,  a  sympathizing  friend  and  Christian  gentle- 
man. His  remains  were  followed  by  a  large  retinue  of  friends  to  his  final  resting- 
place  in  Mount  Auburn. 

The  sale  of  pews  took  place  on  Tuesday  evening,  December  28,  and  was 
very  successful ;  all  but  a  few,  about  four,  of  the  highest  priced  pews  being  taken. 
The  congregations  on  the  Sabbath  have  been  large,  and  the  additions  of  perma- 
nent members  of  the  congregation  have  been  larger  than  could  have  been  antic- 
ipated. 

The  pastor,  feeling  deeply  interested  in  congregational  singing,  introduced 
the  subject  at  an  early  day,  and  a  greater  or  less  interest  was  aroused  in  the  mem- 
bers of  the  church  and  congregation.  The  Psalmist,  with  music,  was  partially 
introduced  into  the  service  of  the  Sabbath,  and  its  use  was  continued  till  the  "Ser- 
vice of  Song,"  which  had  been  in  course  of  preparation  by  the  Rev.  S.  L.  Cald- 
well, D.  D.,  and  the  pastor  jointly,  was  ready,  when  that  work  was  introduced 
with  great  unanimity  of  feeling  in  the  month  of  September,  187 1,  and  up  to  this 
time  has  increased  in  favor  with  the  people. 

On  Sunday,  October  21,  1877,  the  semi-centennial  anniversary  was  observed 
with  suitable  religious  exercises,  and  on  the  next  day,  Monday,  the  Sunday  School 
held  a  reunion  to  celebrate  the  same  occasion. 

On  the  first  Sunday  of  January,  1874,  the  church  was  damaged  by  fire  so 
seriously  that  a  complete  restoration,  amounting  almost  to  rebuilding,  became  nec- 
essary. The  work  of  reparation  was  completed,  and  services  re-commenced,  in 
May,  1875.  The  major  part  of  the  damage  caused  by  the  fire  —  amounting  to 
about  $30,000 — was  covered  by  insurance.  .\  small  debt  of  $14,000  still 
remained  which  was  wiped  out  soon  afterwards.  The  church  is  now  (1883)  and 
has  for  some  time  been 'entirely  free  from  debt. 

While  the  building  was  undergoing  repairs  the  congregation  was  allowed  the 
use  of  tlie  Union  Congregational  Church  on  Columbus  avenue,  near  Newton 
street. 

During  the  revival  meetings  conducted  by  Messrs.  Moody  and  Sankey,  in  the 
winter  and  Spring  of  1876-7,  the  church  was  thrown  open  every  evening  from  4 
to  10  o'clock,  p.  M.,  for  enquiry  and  "overflow"  meetings,  thus  forming  an  annex 
to  the  temporary  revival  building,  which  adjoined  the  church.  The  ultimate 
result  of  tliis  revival  to  this  church  was  a  great  addition  to  the  membership,  which 
has  been  steadly  increasing  from  that  date  to  the  present  time  (1S83),  and  now 
numbers  750. 


4  0  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

The  church  is  now  enjoying  a  season  of  cahn  prosperity,  which,  fostered  by 
the  zeal  and  faithfulness  of  the  pastor,  and  the  harmony  existing  in  the  church 
and  society,  promises  to  be  of  long  continuance. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  A.  J.  Gordon,  D.  D. ;  Deacons  : 
Hezekiah  S.  Chase,  George  S.  Dexter,  Salmon  P.  Hibbard,  Eben  Shute, 
Charles  W.  Perkins,  Charles  S.  Kendall ;  Clerk  :  Charles  W.  Perkins  ;  Treasurer  : 
Calvin  M.  Winch ;  Pastor's  Assistant,  John  A.  McElwain ;  Sunday  School  Super- 
intendent :  Eben  Shute. 


THE   FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH. 


41 


The  First  Baptist  Church, 


ChARLESTOWN     DrSTRICT. 


Tlie  First  Baptist  Church  of  Boston,  was  constituted  in  Charlestown,  on  the 
2Sth  of  March,  1665.  The  civil  rulers  and  the  clergy  of  the  Established  Church 
considered  this  an  act  contrary  to  law,  and  the  Baptists  were  denounced  as  heretics 
and  disturbers  of  the  peace.     Persecution  did  its  utmost  to  overthrow  this  infant 


THE    FIRST    CAPTIST   CHl'RCir,    CHARLESTOWN    DISTRICT. 


church  by  fines,  im])risonment,  and  even  banishment  from  the  colony ;  but  in 
1673,  John  Leverett,  wlio  had  always  opposed  the  measures  against  the  Baptists, 
was  elected  governor,  and  they  were  free  to  worship  God  according  to  the  dic- 
tates of  their  own  consciences.  In  January,  1678,  the  church  resolved  to  erect  a 
house  of  worship  in  Boston,  and  removed  there. 

Nothing  was  done  towards  the  organization  of  another  Baptist  church  in 
Charlestown  until  the  beginning  of  the  present  century.  On  the  evening  of 
August  24,  1800,  a  vote  was  passed  in  the  ancient  rehgious  society  of  the  town, 


42  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 


"  That  the  society  take  into  serious  consideration  the  obvious  necessity  of  erect- 
ing another  house  of  public  worship,  and  use  their  influence  to  effect  the  same." 
A  committee  was  appointed,  who,  at  a  succeeding  meeting,  reported  that  another 
liouse  ought  to  be  erected,  and  that  it  would  be  most  conducive  to  harmony  and 
beneficial  to  the  cause  of  religion,  to  encourage  the  Baptist  brethren  in  building 
the  house  for  their  denomination. 

September  i6,  iSoo,  the  Baptist  brethren  in  Charlestown  —  eleven  in  all  — 
assembled,  and  after  solemn  prayer,  signed  the  following  covenant :  "  ^\'e,  the 
subscribers,  members  of  the  Baptist  communion  in  this  town,  being  advised  by 
the  friends  of  religion,  and  encouraged  with  promises  of  assistance  to  build  a 
house  of  worship,  believing  that  the  visible  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer  will  be 
advanced  thereby,  do  associate  for  the  purpose  of  erecting  a  house  of  worship, 
and  constituting  a  church,  to  be  distinguished  by  the  name  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church  in  Charlestown  ;  and  fervently  imploring  the  blessing  of  God  on  this  our 
arduous  undertaking,  we  solemnly  engage  to  do  all  in  our  power  to  effect  the 
same." 

These  brethren,  with  but  a  trifling  aid  from  two  gentlemen  of  the  ancient 
society,  who  loaned  them  six  hundred  dollars  on  interest,  began  on  the  first  day  of 
October,  iSoo,  to  build  the  house  of  God.  The  records  of  the  church  begin 
March  31,  1801,  with  an  account  of  a  meeting  at  which  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  consult  with  Drs.  Stillman  and  Baldwin,  and  report  Articles  of  Faith 
and  Church  Covenant.  May  3,  1801,  in  the  evening,  the  Articles  of  Faith  and 
Church  Covenant  were  adopted  and  signed,  after  which  John  Carter  and  David 
Goodwin  were  elected  deacons. 

A  council  composed  of  delegates  from  the  Baptist  churches  of  Boston  and 
Newton,  met  in  a  private  house  May  12,  1801,  and  formally  recognized  the 
church,  then  consisting  of  eleven  brethren  and  nine  sisters.  The  council  and  the 
church  proceeded  to  the  new  house,  where,  by  appropriate  and  solemn  ser\'ices,  it 
was  dedicated,  and  the  newly-constituted  church  received  the  hand  of  fellowship. 
The  first  Lord's  supper  was  obsen-ed  June  14,  1801,  Dr.  Stillman,  of  Boston, 
breaking  the  bread. 

The  pulpit  was  temporarily  su.pplied  until  September-  20,  1802,  when  Mr. 
Thomas  Waterman,  recently  of  England,  was  invited  to  take  the  pastoral  charge 
of  the  church.  He  was  installed  October  7th  of  the  same  year.  From  the  for- 
mation of  the  church  to  the  settlement  of  its  first  pastor,  much  love  and  harmony 
prevailed,  and  some  were  received  by  baptism.  Mr.  ^Vaterman's  connection  with 
the  church,  however,  lasted  but  eight  months. 

Rev.  William  Collier,  pastor  of  the  Gold  Street  Church,  New  York  city,  was 
chosen  as  the  second  minister,  and  on  the  third  of  May,  1804,  was  publicly 
settled.      For  five  years  great  unanimity  prevailed.     But  on  October  .31,    1809, 


THE  FIRST  BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


several  members  withdrew  to  form  a  second  Baptist  church.  Among  these  was  a 
brother  of  large  means,  who  had  previously  assumed  the  debt  upon  the  meeting- 
house. The  church  was  deeply  affected  at  this  separation  ;  and  finding  them- 
selves unable  to  meet  their  financial  obligations  they  relincjuished  the  house  to  this 
brother.  They  then  purchased  the  present  lot  on  Austin  street,  and  began  the 
erection  of  a  cheap  house  of  worship,  which  was  dedicated  on  September  23, 
1 8 10,  Mr.  Collier  preaching  the  sermon.  During  this  pastorate  of  fifteen  years 
and  four  months,  one  hundred  and  twelve  were  added  by  baptism,  and  many 
by  letter. 

Rev.  Henry  Jackson,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  the  next  pastor,  was  ordained 
November  27,  1822.  The  fourteen  years  of  his  labors  were  abundantly  blessed 
of  God.  The  house  of  worship  was  twice  enlarged.  There  were  four  special 
seasons  of  deep  religious  interest.  The  benevolent  spirit  in  the  church  was  fos- 
tered so  that  there  was  raised  annually  for  benevolent  purposes  an  average  of 
more  than  one  thousand  dollars.  In  this  pastorate  most  of  the  persons  who  had 
joined  the  second  church  returned,  and  from  this  time  the  second  church  loses  its 
visibility.  The  Charlestown  Female  Seminary  was  instituted  mainly  through  the 
influence  and  efforts  of  Mr.  Jackson.  Under  his  administration  iwo  hundred  and 
thirty-seven  were  added  by  baptism,  and  one  hundred  and  nineteen  by  letter. 
The  church  at  the  close  of  his  ministry  numbered  two  hundred  and  eighty-five 
members. 

Rev.  William  Phillips,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  was  installed  as  pastor,  December 
2,  1836.  The  five  years  of  his  pastorate  were  years  of  peace  and  blessing, 
although  not  marked  by  any  extraordinary  revival.  Each  year  quite  a  number 
were  added  to  the  church.  During  the  whole  time  eighty-three  were  baptised, 
forty-four  received  by  letter. 

Rev.  H.  K.  Green,  of  West  Chester,  Pa.,  was  installed  January  7,  1842.  The 
early  labors  of  Mr.  Green  were  very  successful.  More  than  one  hundred  persons 
were  baptised  in  about  a  year.  The  congregation  became  so  large  that  on  the 
next  year  the  old  house  was  taken  down  and  a  new  church  edifice  was  erected 
on  the  present  site.  On  the  22d  of  April,  1844,  Mr.  Green  resigned,  having 
added  to  the  church  by  baptism  one  hundred  and  sixty-seven,  and  by  letter,  forty 
persons.  A  large  number,  however,  were  dismissed  to  form  the  High  Street  Bap- 
tist Church,  thus  leaving  in  this  church  a  total  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-three 
members. 

Rev.  William  C.  Child  was  called  from  Newton  Seminary  in  1844,  to  become 
the  next  pastor.  These  were  years  of  growth  in  spiritual  matters,  and  at  the  very 
close  of  his  pastorate  a  blessed  revival  of  religion  began,  the  fruits  of  which  were 
gathered  by  the  succeeding  pastor.  During  his  ministry  of  five  years,  twenty- 
three  persons  were  adde'd  by  baptism,  and  fifty-one  by  letter. 


44  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

Rev.  T.  F.  Caldicott  began  to  supply  the  pulpit  in  March,  1S50,  and  in  the 
following  October  assumed  the  pastoral  office.  He  resigned  September  9,  1853. 
His  pastorate  was  signally  crowned  with  the  favor  of  God,  sixty-six  persons  unit- 
ing with  the  church  by  liaptism,  and  seventy-eight  by  letter  and  experience. 

Rev.  A.  M.  Hopper,  the  eighth  pastor,  Avas  ])ublicly  installed  March  i,  i<S55, 
and  resigned  March  i,  1857.  In  the  two  years  of  his  ministry  there  were  thirty- 
one  i^ersons  received  by  baptism,  and  seventeen  by  letter. 

Rev.  R.  W.  Cushman,  of  Boston,  was  engaged  after  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Hopper,  as  a  supply  for  three  months  from  March  15,  1857.  At  the  expiration 
of  this  time  the  will  of  God  seemed  so  clear,  that  the  church  unanimously  called 
him  to  become  their  pastor  ;  but  on  account  of  private  considerations  he  did  not 
consent  to  a  public  installation. 

Dr.  Cushman  was  preeminently  fitted  to  build  up  the  church  on  their  most 
holy  faith,  and  to  root  and  ground  believers  in  the  fundamental  truths  of  the 
Bible.  Although  his  ministry  was  short,  it  was  marked  for  the  clear  and  impressive 
manner  of  exhibiting,  in  proper  harmony,  divine  truth,  which  fixed  deeply  in  the 
minds  of  all  Christians  the  reasons  of  the  hope  that. was  in  them. 

He  resigned, April  5,  i860,  but  remained  for  several  months  afterwards  as 
acting  pastor.  During  his  administration,  thirty-two  persons  were  admitted  to  the 
church  by  baptism,  and  thirty-seven  by  letter. 

Rev.  George  W.  Gardner  was  called  June  i,  1861,  but  did  not  enter  upon 
his  duties  until  the  September  following.  November  13th  of  the  same  year,  the 
present  church  edifice  was  dedicated,  the  pastor  preaching  from  Psalm  xx  :  5,  and 
on  the  following  evening  the  service  of  his  installation  took  place.  The  eleven 
years  of  this  pastorate  were  marked  by  continual  accessions  of  new  members, 
the  steady  growth  of  the  church  in  all  departments  of  Christian  work,  and  the 
edifying  of  the  whole  body  in  love.  Many  who  had  been  connected  with  the 
High  Street  Church  returned  to  the  mother  church,  that  church  having  become 
extinct.  During  this  pastorate  one  hundred  and  ninety-six  were  received  to  the 
fellowship  of  the  church  l)y  ba]:)tism,  and  one  hundred  and  ninety-one  by  letter 
and  experience. 

Rev.  W.  W.  Boyd  was  the  next  pastor.  He  was  ordained  May  i,  1873,  but 
did  not  assume  all  the  duties  of  his  office  until  the  following  October.  Youthful  and 
genial  in  spirit  and  characterized  by  great  enthusiasm  in  his  ministrations  he  very 
soon  drew  around  him  large  numbers  of  young  and  old,  many  of  whom  were 
added  to  the  church.  He  resigned  May  21,  1877.  During  his  pastorate  large  con 
gregations  generally  attended  the  Sabbath  services ;  and  the  Sabbath  School  rose 
in  numbers  and  interest  to  a  i)oint  which  has  never  been  exceeded  in  its  history. 

Rev.  J.  B.  Brackett  was  called  to  the  pastorate  January  18,  187S,  and  entered 
upon  his  labors  March  i .     He  remained  pastor  two  years,  and  resigned  April  9, 


THE    CLARENDON  STREET   CHURCH.  4  5 

1880.  During  this  time  a  nvimber  were  added  to  the  cliurch  by  baptism  and  let- 
ter, and  also  not  a  few  who  had  grown  indifferent  to  the  interests  of  the  chiircli 
were  excluded. 

Rev.  J.  W.  Riddle,  the  twelfth  and  present  pastor,  was  called  September  26, 

1 88 1,  and  began  his  labors  in  October.  Since  his  settlement  nearly  two  years 
have  elapsed. 

The  present  membership  of  the  church  is  561.  Its  house  of  worship  is  one 
of  the  most  commodious,  antl,  internally,  one  of  the  most  attractive  in  the  district. 
Its  value  is  about  $50,000,  and  it  is  free  from  debt.  Connected  with  the  church 
there  are  five  young  men,  who,  at  different  institutions  of  learning,  are  studying 
for  the  gospel  ministry ;  also  an  active  Woman's  Missionary  Society  which  has 
been  in  existence  for  more  than  forty  years,  dividing  its  interest  and  its  contribu- 
tions between  the  Home  and  Foreign  work. 

The  Sunday  School  connected  with  the  church  has  565  members.  It  was 
organized  in  1813,  and  is  probably  the  oldest  Sunday  School  of  any  denomination 
in  Boston  or  vicinity,  and  among  the  oldest  in  New  England  or  even  in  the 
United  States. 

In  1795  a  Sunday  School  was  organized  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  by  a  student  of 
Brown  University,  and  Mr.  Samuel  Slater,  a  manufacturer,  of  Providence,  for  the 
benefit  of  any  of  the  factory  operatives  that  wished  to  attend.  This  was  among 
the  first  Sunday  Schools  organized  in  this  country.  Nine  years  later,  in  1804,  Rev. 
Wm.  Collier,  the  student  referred  to,  became  pastor  of  this  church,  and  soon  after 
organized  a  Saturday  afternoon  school  for  the  religious  instruction  of  the  children  of 
the  parish  which  was  changed  to  a  Sunday  School  not  later  than  18 13. 

At  present  the  church  and  school  are  both  in  a  prosperous  condition,  and 
under  the  leadership  of  their  pastor  are  closely  identified,  not  only  with  all. the 
great  benevolent  and  missionary  enterprises  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  but  with 
every  home  work  of  benevolence  and  reform  inaugurated  for  the  moral  and  relig- 
ious improvement  of  the  community  in  which  it  is  located. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  Rev.  J.  W.  Riddle ;  Deacons  :  George  W.  Little, 
S.  Prentiss  Hill,  Charles  E.  Daniels,  John  Linscott,  F.  W.  Dadmun ;  Clerk : 
George  R.  Seymour;  Treasurer:  George  W.  Little-  Superintendent"  of  Sunday 
School :  Frank  Dow, 


4  6  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Brighton  Avenue  Baptist  Church, 

Allston. 


This  church,  the  first  and  only  Baptist  Church  of  Allston,  situated  in  Lhiion 
Square,  was  organized  on  December  2,  1853.  The  members,  who  were  a 
very  small  number  in  those  early  days,  met  for  worship  at  first  in  a  hall  known 
as  Union  Hall,  under  the  jiastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves  —  better  known 
in  Bostonian  Church  History  as  "  Father  Graves  " —  who  was  the  minister  in  sup- 
ply from  February  i,  1854,  until  January  i,  1856.  He  died  at  Charlestown,  on 
January  15,  1879,  having  attained  to  the  age  of  seventy-six  years.  After  him 
came  the  Rev.  J.  ]\I.  Bonham,  an  Englishman,  who  was  settled  in  July,  1856,  and 
left  in  September,  1857. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  church  —  the  present  edifice  —  which  is  a 
handsome  frame  building,  with  a  high  spire,  made  more  conspicuous  by  its  prom- 
inent position,  was  laid,  with  appropriate  religious  services,  on  the  eleventh  of 
September,  1855.  It  was  sufficienUy  advanced  to  enable  the  society  to  meet  for 
worship  in  the  vestry  in  January,  1S56,  and  the  completed  church  was  dedicated 
on  the  tenth  of  February,  1857.     It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  about  400. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  J.  W.  Parker,  who  was  settled  in  November,  1S5  7, 
and  closed  his  ministry  in  July,  1859  ;  being  followed  very  shordy  by  the  Rev.  S. 
M.  Stimson,  who  was  installed  on  August  7,  of  the  same  year,  and  was  dismissed 
in  June,  1861. 

The  two  succeeding  ministers  were,  the  Rev.  Ralph  H.  Bowles,  whose  pas- 
torate commenced  in  August,  1861,  and  terminated  in  January,  1867;  and  the 
Rev.  Wm.  R.  Thompson,  who  was  settled  in  1868,  and  dismissed  in  1871. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Francis  E.  Tower,  assumed  the  pastorate  in 
January,  1872,  and  is  (1883)  still  discharging  its  duties.  hX.  the  commence- 
ment of  Mr.  Tower's  ministrations,  there  were  but  ninety-seven  members  in 
the  church,  while  there  are  now  320.  The  church,  under  his  ministrations, 
has  enjoyed  a  steady  and  healthy  growth,  and  is  now  in  a  prosperous  condition. 
The  Sunday  School  is,  also,  in  a  flourishing  state,  and  numbers  about  250.  mem- 
bers. During  the  first  year  of  his  pastorate,  the  number  added  by  baptism  and 
letter  nearly  doubled  the  original  membership. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Francis  E.  Tower ;  Clerk  :  H.  W. 
Bird ;  Treasurer  :  Amos  Wright.  Prudential  Committee  and  Acting  Deacons  : 
J,  T.  Upham,  C.  H.  Brown,  C.  D.  Whitney,  Nahum  Thayer,  Benjamin  Rice, 
Amos  Wright,  J.  W.  Bent,  Hiram  Bates. 


THE   UNION   TEMPLE   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  4  7 


The  Union  Temple  Baptist  Church, 


Tremokt  Temple. 


The  history  of  the  Tremont  Street  and  Union  Baptist  Churches  —  the  one 
formed  in  1839  and  the  other  in  1843 — is  replete  with  interest.  The  famous 
pastors  who  have  ministered  in  them,  the  prominent  men  who  have  figured 
conspicuously  as  their  faithful  officers  and  members,  the  inspiration  of  the  pious 
idea  which  caused  the  creation  of  the  famous  edifice  in  which  they  have  long 
worshiped  God,  and  finally  the  union  of  these  two  fructifying  streams  of  religious 
life  and  activity  to  make  a  Christian  bulwark  for  all  time,  make  a  grand  chapter  in 
the  history  of  this  denomination,  deservedly  held  dear  by  every  American  Baptist. 

The  noble  building  so  extensively  known  as  "The  Tremont  Temple"  had  its 
origin  in  the  desire  of  Deacon  Timothy  Gilbert  primarily,  and  of  those  who  became 
his  coadjutors  afterward,  to  open  in  the  city  of  Boston  a  centrally  located  house 
of  worship  with  free  seats,  on  some  self-supporting  plan,  where  all,  whatever  might 
be  their  condition  or  circumstances  in  life,  should  have  an  opportunity  to  hear  the 
Gospel  and  enjoy  the  means  of  grace.*  Above  all  it  was  desired  to  provide  a 
place  of  worship  for  the  poor  and  for  strangers  coming  to  the  city  for  employment, 
whose  means  would  not  allow  them  to  secure  seats  in  the  other  churches. 

The  first  of  these  original  societies  was  the  Union  Baptist  Church,  the  nucleus 
of  which  was  started  on  November  i,  1836,  on  Stillman  street,  as  a  Sabbath 
School,  with  eleven  members.  The  work  was  begun  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  Howe,  a 
young  graduate  from  the  Newton  Theological  Seminary,  who  was  called  under 
the  auspices  of  the  Boston  Baptist  Sabbath  School  Union.  On  January  i,  1837, 
Joshua  Lincoln  was  chosen  superintendent,  and  public  services  were  begun.  The 
membership  increased  so  rapidly  that  better  accommodations  were  found  neces- 
sary, and  in  August,  1838,  the  school  was  moved  to  Tuckerman  Hall,  Friend 
street,  and  in  February,  1 84 1 ,  to  a  larger  hall  on  the  same  street,  The  superin- 
tendents were,  successively,  Mr.  Lincoln,  Mr.  Charles  M.  Bowers,  and  Mr.  Daniel 
Simpson,  until  May,  1845,  when  Deacon  George  W.  Chipman  took  the  position. 
The  membership  was  then  300,  and  the  need  of  a  church  organization  was  felt. 


Such  an  organization  was  accordingly  effected,  and  on  March  i6,  1845,  the  church 
was  pubHcly  recognized  as  the  Union  Baptist  church.  A  site  was  at  once  pro- 
cured, and  the  erection  o(  a  suitable  place  of  worship  was  begun  ;  tlie  corner- 
stone was  laid  April  21,  1S46,  and  the  dedication  took  place  November  12th,  of 
the  same  year.  The  number  of  members  had,  at  that  time,  increased  from  19  to 
8S,  and  of  Sunday  scholars  from  1 1  to  570.  From  this  also  sprang  six  other  Sun- 
day Schools.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Howe  remained  until  1S58,  from  which  time  until 
1S63  the  Rev.  D.  M.  Crane  was  the  pastor. 

The  other  of  these  two  parent  societies,  the  Tremont  Street  Baptist  Church, 
originally  held  their  meetings  in  a  hall  at  No.  3 1  Tremont  Street,  where  religious 
services  were  continued  some  three  months.  The  church  was  organized  on  April 
18,  1839?  with  82  members,  who  had  been  dismissed  from  the  various  Baptist 
churches  in  the  city  and  vicinity  for  that  purpose.  The  number  attending  the  ser- 
vices made  larger  accommodations  necessary,  and  in  March,  1840,  they  removed 
to  Congress  Hall,  on  the  corner  of  Milk  and  Congress  streets,  which  had  been 
arranged  to  seat  about  400  persons.  The  Rev.  Nathaniel  Colver  was  chosen  pas- 
tor, and  remained  with  the  church  in  that  capacity  until  1S52. 

Public  worship  was  continued  in  Congress  Hall  about  one  year,  and  during 
this  time  there  was  a  great  religious  interest ;  the  attendance  rapidly  increased, 
and  this  hall  was  found  too  small  for  them.  In  1841  they  removed  to  a  room  at 
the  corner  of  Bromfield  and  Tremont  streets,  fitted  up  to  seat  from  600  to  700 
persons ;  the  attendance  soon  increased  so  as  to  make  this  place  inadequate. 
The  number  of  members  added  to  the  church  by  baptism  and  letter  during  the 
year  1840  was  90;  in  1841,  30;  and  in  1842,  126. 

It  was  under  these  circumstances,  amid  the  pressing  and  growing  wants  of 
this  church,  that  the  noble,  unselfish,  divirfely-born,  idea  which  had  been  germinat- 
ing in  the  minds  of  these  pious  men,  took  actual  form  and  shape.  The  ])lan  was 
simple  and  unique.  "It  was  to  obtain  a  building  of  sufficient  capacity,  fit  it  up  for 
stores  and  offices,  the  rent  of  which  should  provide  for  current  expenses  and 
repairs,  and  at  the  same  time,  when  the  debt  was  removed,  should  furnish  a  ,mis- 
sion  fund  to  be  used  in  providing  for  the  destitute  at  home  and  abroad.  This  was 
the  germ  from  which  has  sprung  the  grand  institution  now  known,  wherever  an 
American  Baptist  is  found,  as  the  Tremont  Temple  —  in  name  and  in  fact  "  The 
Stranger's  Sabbath  Home." 

Early  in  1843  the  Tremont  Theatre,  which  then  occupied  the  site  of  the 
present  Temple,  was  offered  for  sale.  There  were  many  reasons  why  it  was  thought 
that  the  purchase  of  this  estate  was  very  desirable,  offering  as  it  did  a  building  of 
ample  dimensions,  in  the  very  centre  of  the  city.  After  an  examination  of  the 
adaptableness  of  the  buildinn.  the  cost  of  remodelling,  etc.,  the  purchase  was 
made  by  Timothy  Gilbert,  S.  C.  Shipley,  Thomas  Gould  and  Wm.  S.  DamrelL  and 


THE    UNION   TEMPLE  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  4  9 

a  deed  executed,  dated  June,  1S43,  conveying  the  estate,  containing  about 
13,000  feet  of  land,  to  them  for  ;^55,ooo.  Afterward  this  deed,  under  which  these 
four  named  j^ersons  originally  held  the  estate,  was  changed  to  the  form  of  a  trust 
—  this  latter  instrument  being  dated  April  i,  1844. 

The  purchasers,  on  their  own  personal  responsibility,  proceeded  at  once  to 
remodel  the  interior  of  the  building  and  adapt  it  to  its  intended  sacred  uses.  They 
arranged  the  halls,  stores  and  other  rooms  for  the  purposes  designed,  at  an 
expense  —  including  all  the  furniture,  with  the  exception  of  the  organ  —  of  ^24,- 
2S4.53  j  which,  added  to  the  original  purchase,  made  the  total,  cost  $79,284.53. 
The  building  was  78  feet  front,  90  feet  rear,  and  135  feet  deep;  the  main  audi- 
ence-room 90  feet  by  about  80  feet,  capable  of  seating  2,000  persons. 

On  the  7th  of  December,  1843,  the  house  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of 
Almighty  God,  with  public  services  in  the  large  audience-room,  and  afterwards 
occupied  by  the  church  as  a  permanent  place  of  worship.  A  large  congregation  was 
gathered,  and  the  interest  continued  to  prosper  until  the  3 1  st  of  March,  1 85  2,  when, 
in  the  dark  hours  of  the  early  winter  morning,  the  whole  building  was  completely 
destroyed  by  fire. 

Just  at  this  time — March,  1852  —  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Colver  resigned  the 
pastorate  of  Tremont  Temple  Church,  and  took  his  final  leave  on  the  very  day  of 
the  disaster.  The  memory  of  this  eminent  servant  of  God  deserves  a  passing 
notice  in  connection  with  this  history  ;  and  the  more  especially,  since  to  him,  in 
conjunction  with  the  Rev.  William  Howe  and  Deacons  Crilbert  and  Geo.  W.  Chip- 
man,  belongs  the  credit  of  the  establishment  of  the  free  church  system  in  Boston. 
To  these  names  must  also  be  added  those  of  James  W.  Converse  and  Clement 
Drew.  All  these  men,  with  others  also,  of  a  like  kind,  "  honored  the  Lord  "  in 
this  matter,  both  with  "  their  substance  "  and  their  services,  and  this  roll  of  honor 
is  an  integral  part  of  Tremont  Temple. 

When  the  project  was  started,  and  the  foundations  of  tlie  Temple  enterprise 
were  laid,  the  cause  of  Christ,  in  Boston,  was  going  on  from  conquest  to  conquest. 
Baldwin  Place  Church  was  crowded  under  the  ministry  of  Rev.  Baron  Stow,  D. 
D. ;  Rollin  H.  Neale,  then  a  young  man,  whose  ministry  began  in  1837,  was 
drawing  immense  audiences  to  that  ancient  sanctuary  where  crowds  hung  spell- 
bound, listening  to  an  oratory  glowing  with  the  love  of  Christ;  Charles 
Street  was  at  court  end,  thronged  with  the  hundreds  who  admired  the  courtly 
Daniel  Sharp,  whose  praise  is  yet  in  all  the  churches ;  while  the  Hall  in 
Boylston  street  in  which  Robert  Turnbull  preached,  and  the  house  in  Federal 
street  in  which  the  eloquent  Howard  Malcom  had  ministered,  waited  with  a  splen- 
did congregation  to  welcome  a  worthy  successor,  which  they  found  in  ^^'illiam 
Hague.  Then  it  was  Nathaniel  Colver  came.  He  was  fresh  from  the  country. 
He  was  impulsive,  bold,  eloquent,   thoroughly  honest  and   somewhat  eccentric. 


5  0  CHUR CHES    OF   BOSTON. 

He  was  a  power  because  he  was  a  man  of  (Jod,  and  he  swayed  a  mighty  influ- 
ence. He  was  born  in  Orwell,  Vermont,  May  lo,  1794,  the  son  of  a  clergyman. 
When  he  came  to  Boston,  parties  were  ranging  for  a  desperate  conflict.  Pos- 
sessed of  a  clear  and  logical  mind,  endowed  with  a  lively  immagination,  with  great 
powers  of  argumentation,  a  ready  debater,  perfectly  fearless  in  the  enunciation  of 
truth, —  he  took  at  once  a  foremost  position,  and  became  a  champion  of  the 
oppressed,  and  a  leading  advocate  of  temperance  and  reform. 

After  the  destruction  of  the  Temple,  the  subject  of  rebuilding  became  a  very 
serious  question  to  the  Trustees,  who  alone,  by  the  terms  of  the  deed,  had  the 
entire  control  of  the  estate ;  the  church  having  only  a  prospective  interest,  when 
the  property  should  be  free  from  debt ;  or,  in  case  of  sale,  in  any  surplus  that 
might  be  left. 

Upon  fufly  considering  the  subject,  and  obtaining  estimates  of  the  expense, 
the  Trustees  unanimously  voted  to  rebuild.  Plans  were  adopted  on  the  28th  of 
April,  1852,  and,  on  the  25th  of  May  the  foundations  of  the  edifice  were  com- 
menced. The  building  v>^as  so  far  completed  that  the  vestry  was  occupied  by  the 
church  on  May  20,  1853,  and,  on  the  Sabbath  following,  services  were  held  in  the 
Meionaon,  which  is  the  name  given  to  the  smaller  hall ;  the  term  is  derived  from 
two  Greek  words,  vieio?i,  less,  or  smaller,  and  7iao}i,  temple  —  lesser  temple.  This 
lesser  temple  is  situated  back  from  the  street,  and  directly  under  the  great  hall. 
On  the  25th  of  December  following  (1853),  the  first  meeting  for  public  worship 
was  held  in  the  main  hall.  The  new  building,  including  furniture,  organ,  gas  and 
steam  fixtures,  insurance,  interest,  etc.,  cost  $126,814.26. 

The  year  1855  became  the  turning  point  in  the  history  of  the  Temple. 
Owing  to  the  greatly  increased  burden  caused  by  the  unexpected  cost  of  the  build- 
ing, it  was  found  necessary  to  take  steps  to  obtain  relief,  and  the  Trustees,  having 
become  satisfied  that  they  could  not,  with  safety  to  themselves  and  those  involved 
with  them,  continue  to  hold  the  property  in  that  condition,  deemed  it  advisable  to 
call  a  meeting  of  the  prominent  men  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  the  city  and 
vicinity  ;  which  meeting  was  held  in  the  Meionaon,  March  i,  1855.  At  this  meet- 
ing it  was  thought  desirable  to  secure  the  estate  to  the  denomination,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  for  that  purpose,  fears  having  been  expressed  by  many  lest 
other  denominations  should  obtain  it.  An  arrangement  was  made  to  place  the 
property,  temporarily,  in  the  hands  of  thirty- seven  individuals,  until  subscriptions 
could  be  obtained  for  its  purchase,  with  a  view  of  conveying  it  to  a  society,  to  be 
called  The  Evangelical  Baptist  Benevolent  and  Missionary  Society. 

In  accordance  with  this  arrangement,  it  was  conveyed  by  deed,  dated  June 
28,  1855,  to  Thomas  Richardson,  Frederick  Gould,  J.  W.  Converse,  G.  W.  Chip- 
man  and  J.  W.  Merrill,  as  Trustees,  and  the  sum  of  $36,711.03  over  and  above 
its  outstanding  liabilities  was  paid  therefor. 


THE   UNION  TEMPLE  BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


51 


An  act  of  incorporation  was  secured  in  1857  for  an  association  under  the 
above  title,  and  tlie  society  was  duly  organized  May  11,  1858,  and  the  whole 
estate  was  transferred  to  it  by  a  suitable  deed  of  conveyance  dated  November 
30,  1858. 

A  lease  was  executed,  dated  June  9,  1859,  "granting  the  Tremont  Street 
Baptist  Church  and  Society  the  use  of  the  great  hall,  with  the  organ  and  furniture 
therein,  during  the  day-time  on  Sundays,  as  a  place  of  public  worship ;  and  also 
the  basement  rooms  for  Vestry  and  Sabbath  School ;  the  church  agreeing  to  main- 
tain public  worship  on  the  Sabbath,  with  free  seats,  and  to  support  a  good,  effi- 
cient pastor,  who  shall  be  creditable  to  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  who'  shall 
be  so  considered  by  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  city  of  Boston  and  the  adjoining 
cities  and  towns  of  Dorchester,  Roxbury,  Brookline,  Cambridge,  Charlestown, 
Chelsea ;  and  that  the  church  shall  hold  and  maintain  the  doctrines  of  the  Evan- 
gelical  Baptist  churches  in  said  cities  and  towns.  Either  of  the  Baptist  churches 
in  said  cities  and  towns  may  at  any  time  call  a  council,  to  be  composed  of  two 
members  from  such  churches  — not  less  than  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  — 
as  may  choose  to  send  delegates,  to  inquire  whether  the  church  has  broken  any  of 
these  covenants ;  and  if  the  council  so  chosen  shall  decide  that  the  church  has 
failed  to  comply  with  any  of  the  covenants,  then  this  lease  shall  cease.  In  case  of 
a  sale  of  the  estate,  this  lease  is  null  and  void ;  and  the  amount  realized  from  the 
sale,  after  paying  the  cost  of  the  same  to  this  corporation,  with  interest,  charges, 
and  expenses,  shall  be  paid  over  to  said  church,  which  amoOnt  shall  be  held  in 
trust  by  the  deacons  of  said  church  for  the  purpose  of  building  a  new  place  of 
worship,  or  to  be  appropriated  to  some  other  religious  or  charitable  object  by  said 
church." 

On  the  5th  day  of  December,  1863,  by  a  mutual  agreement  between  the 
church  and  this  society,  an  arrangement  was  made  giving  the  Board  of  Directors 
a  concurrent  vote  in  the  election  of  pastor,  and  in  the  same  year  the  Tremont 
Street  Church  united  with  the  Union  Baptist  Church,  and  thus  formed  the  present 
Union  Temple  Baptist  Church. 

In  1878,  the  church  and  society  were  in  a  most  flourishing  condition.  After 
many  years  of  persistent  labor  and  effort,  the  indebtedness  had  been  reduced  to 
$100,000  —  the  originally  agreed-upon  amount  —  and  the  Directors  were  prepar- 
ing to  devote  the  stipulated  half  of  the  income  to  charitable  purposes,  when,  on 
the  night  of  August  14,  1879,  the  Temple  was,  for  the  second  time,'  destroyed 
by  fire. 

A  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Directors  was  held  at  once,  and,  after  full  discus- 
sion, it  was  unanimously  resolved  to  rebuild  the  Temple,  with  every  improvement 
which  it  was  possible  to  devise,  and  to  re-devote  it  —  enlarged,  renovated,  and 
made  grander  and  nobler  than  before  —  to  its  old  sacred  purposes. 


This  was  clone,  and  done  thorougly  and  successfully.  The  new  Temple  — 
now  twice  baptized  by  fire  —  while  a  worthy  successor  of  its  two  predecessors, 
retaining  their  best  and  holiest  characteristics,  has  a  development  towards  perfec- 
tion all  its  own,  as  the  third  generation  of  such  a  divinely-human  idea  justly  should. 
1 1  is  a  monument  to  man's  higher,  unselfish  nature,  a  tribute  in  stone  and  iron 
to  the  force  of  real  religion,  and  a  central  nucleus  of  Christian  power,  around 
which  all  who  acknowledge  the  Saviour  of  men  may  gladly  rally. 

The  new  Temple  was  opened  on  Sunday,  October  17,  1880.  The  expense 
of  rebuilding  and  refitting,  including  cost  of  the  organ,  was  about  $169,000. 

The  Tremont  Temple  is  now  known  and  designated  as  the  Headquarters  of 
New  England  Baptists  ;  a  place  for  religious  and  benevolent  work  not  surpassed 
or  even  equalled.  The  grand  charitable  institutions,  so  well-known  as  the  "  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Union ;  "  the  "  New  England  department  of  the  Home  Mission 
Society ;  "  and  the  "  New  England  department  of  the  Baptist  Publication  Soci- 
ety," are  now  in  full  and  complete  operation  within  these  walls. 

The  "  Baptist  Social  Union,"  composed  of  representatives  from  nearly  all  of 
the  Baptist  churches  in  our  city  and  vicinity,  holds  its  monthly  meetings  in  the. 
Temple.  "  The  ^Vatchman,"  with  its  new  organization  under  the  leadership  of 
our  ablest  writers,  and  recognized  as  the  organ  of  New  England  Baptists,  has  its 
editorial  and  official  rooms  here. 

The  Main  Hall,  or  Temple  proper,  is  122  feet  long,  72  feet  wide,  and  66  feet 
high.  It  has,  beside  the  main  floor,  a  first  and  second  gallery,  with  a  total  seat- 
ing capacity  of  2,500.  The  Meionaon  has  seats  for  800  and  is  used  for  every 
variety  of  meetings.  The  entire  building  is  as  nearly  fire  proof  as  a  building  can 
be,  and  has  excellent  arrangements  for  the  rapid  exit  of  audiences. 

The  pastors  who  have  been  honored  by  having  the  leadership  of  this  church 
committed  to  their  care  have  been  :  Firstly,  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Coher,  before 
mentioned,  who  was  pastor  for  about  four  years  while  the  infant  church  led  a 
nomadic  life,  wandering  from  one  temporary  abode  to  another,  and  for  nine 
years  after  it  was  brought  to  rest  in  its  Temple  Home.  The  Rev.  I.  S.  Kallock 
was  next  chosen  i)astor  in  July,  1855,  and  resigned  in  February,  1858.  During 
the  following  four  months  he  engaged  in  collecting  money  towards  the  purchase 
of  the  Temple  for  tlie  denomination,  and  succeeded  in  raising  about  $30,000.  He 
was  reelected  in  July,  1858,  and  resigned  in  April,  1859.  The  Rev.  N.  Shepard 
became  pastor  in  August,  i860,  and  resigned  in  October,  1861.  For  some  con- 
siderable time  the  pulpit  was  filled  by  temporary  supplies. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  united  churches  was  the  Rev.  Justin  D.  Fulton,  D.I).,  who 
was  installed  January  5 ,  1 864.  Dr.  Fulton  retained  the  pastorate  for  nearly  ten  years, 
resigning  in  May,  1873.  During  this  time  the  church  received  633  members  by  bap- 
tism and  291  by  letter,  and  raised  $120,000  for  church  and  other  religious  purposes. 


r    ' 


THE   UNION   TEMPLE   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  53 

The  successor  of  Dr.  Fulton  was  the  Rev.  George  C.  Lorimer,  who  was  set- 
tled October  i,  1873,  and  stayed  until  April,  1879,  about  5  years.  During  this 
pastorate  there  were  604  additions  by  Ixiptism,  and  273  l)y  letter,  and  $125,000 
was  raised. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  F.  M.  Ellis,  D.  D.,  of  Denver,  Colorado,  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  shortly  after  the  second  fire,  and  led  the  devotions  of  the 
church  while  meeting  in  the  Music  Hall,  from  June  till  October,  1880,  during  the 
l)rogress  of  the  rebuilding.  He  has  shown  himself  to  be  especially  adapted  to 
this  field  of  labor,  and  every  Sabbath  the  spacious  hall  is  well  filled  to  hear  him 
preach  the  plain,  powerful  truths  of  the  Cios]>el,  and  his  labors  have  been  very 
successful  in  winning  the  attention  of  both  old  and  young. 

The  present  membership  of  tlie  church  is  1275,  and  of  the  Sunday  School, 
1 148. 

There  is  also  a  Swedish  Mission  under  the  direction  of  the  Temple  Church, 
the  pastor  of  which  is  the  Rev.  A.  Tjernlund. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  The  Rev.  F.  M.  Ellis,  I).  D. ;  Pastor's  Assist- 
ant:  Charles  A.  Roundy ;  Clerk:  J.  O.  Staples;  Treasurer:  F.  D.  Tarlton ; 
Collector :  Clement  Drew ;  Honorary  vSuperintendent  of  the  Sunday  School : 
Geo.  W.  Chipman  ;  Superintendent :  E.  W.  Corey.  Deacons  :  G.  W.  Chipman, 
Clement  Drew,  J.  W.  Cook,  J.  H.  Bickford,  Frederick  A.  Sanborn,  B.  F.  Bradbury, 
Samuel  Perrins,  R.  O.  Dunn,  F.  E.  Jeffrey,  A.  A.  Sheafe,  Samuel  Ricker,  Charles 
A.  Roundy. 


').         54 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  South  Baptist  Church, 


Cor.  Broadway  and  F  Street,  South  Boston. 


The  origin  of  this  cluirch  is  traced  to  a  prayer  meeting  estabHshed  by  Dea- 
con Jacob  Fhnn  in  1S25.  Moving  into  South  Boston  and  finding  in  this  part  of 
the  city  no  Baptist  church,  he  resolved  to  hold  a  Christian  prayer  meeting.     He 


THE   SOUTH    BAPTIST  ClILKCH,    COK.    LKQADWAY  AND   F   STREET,    SOUTH    BOSTON 

also  opened  his  house  for  the  worship  of  God,  and  meetings  were  sustained  for 
more  than  a  year  with  few  interruptions.  Amid  many  discouragements,  and  in 
spite  of  much  coldness  from  members  of  other  evangelical  churches,  Deacon 
Flinn  persevered  in  his  enterprise,  and  for  many  years  remained  a  firm  supporter 
of  the  new  interest.     An  interruption  of  the  good  feeling  which  had  for  a  time 


THE    SOUTH    BAPTIST   CHURCH.  '  55 

been  manifested  in  sustaining  "  The  Union  Prayer  Meeting,"  as  it  was  called,  was 
providentially  overruled  to  promote  the  cause.  Deacon  Flinn  invited  the  Rev. 
George  Evans,  then  engaged  in  missionary  work  in  the  destitute  sections  of  the 
city,  to  preach  an  evening  lecture  in  South  Boston.  This  was  in  the  spring  of  1 82  7, 
and  it  resulted  in -the  maintenance,  for  three  months,  of  a  weekly  lecture  in  the 
Congregationalist  house  of  worship,  which  was  kindly  tendered  for  the  use  of  the 
Baptists.  Mr.  George  Evans,  Mr.  Ensign  Lincoln,  and  several  neighboring  pas  ■ 
tors  sustained  the  service.  It  being  subsequently  found  desirable  to  procure 
another  place  of  meeting,  a  house  previously  occupied  by  the  Methodists  was  pur- 
chased by  Deacon  Samuel  Hill,  and  rented  to  the  Baptists  for  their  use.  It  was 
opened  July  5,  1827,  and  continued  to  be  their  place  of  meeting  till  April,  1830. 
Preaching  was  sustained  in  this  house  under  the  patronage  of  the  "  Boston  Bap- 
tist Evangelical  Society,"  and  with  the  assistance  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Ropes, 
Ball,  Wing,  Collier,  and  Mr.  Ensign  Lincoln. 

In  the  spring  of  1828,  the  formation  of  a  new  Baptist  church  was  discussed, 
and  a  petition  was  at  once  presented  to  the  Federal  Street  Baptist  Church,  to  be 
constituted  a  branch  of  the  same.  At  a  meeting  of  that  church  held,  July  31, 
1828,  articles  were  adopted  to  regulate  the  connection  and  cooperation  of  the 
church  and  its  branch.  On  the  28th  of  August,  1828,  that  church  held  a  meet- 
ing in  the  chapel  in  South  Boston,  and  nineteen  members  having  approved  and 
accepted  these  articles,  were  duly  formed  into  a  branch,  to  be  known  as  the  South 
Branch  of  the  Federal  Street  Baptist  Church,  and  recognized  as  such  by  appro- 
priate public  services. 

Within  a  year  or  two  after  receiving  the  approbation  of  the  Federal  Street 
Church,  —  on  March  4,  1831,  —  the  branch  resolved  to  become  an  independent 
body,  and  was  constituted  and  recognized  as  such,  with  perfect  unanimity,  under 
the  title  of  the  South  Baptist  Church  of  the  City  of  Boston,  with  fifty-two  mem- 
bers, March  27th. 

Soon  after  the  formation  of  the  branch  church,  efforts  were  made  to  obtain  a 
more  commodious  house  of  worshij),  which  proved  successful ;  but,  in  doing  this, 
a  debt  was  entailed  upon  the  church  of  thirty-three  years'  duration.  The  house 
thus  built  by  the  church  was  dedicated  July  22,  1830.  The  frame  of  it  was  that 
of  the  house  previously  occupied  by  the  First  Baptist  Church,  then  about  to  erect 
a  larger  one  for  their  own  use.  During  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Abbott  the  church 
sold  this  old  frame  meeting-house  which  still  stands  at  the  corner  of  C  street  and 
Broadway,  and  purchased  a  lot,  and  erected  the  present  substantial  brick  house  of 
worship  on  the  corner  of  F  street  and  Broadway. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  new  house  was  laid  with  appropriate  ceremonies 
July  31,  1867,  and  farewell  services  were  held  in  the  old  house  September  8,  1867. 
The  vestry  of  the  new  edifice  was  first  occupied  March  i,  1868,  and  the  church  was 


56  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

dedicated  November  5,  186S.  It  has  sittings  for  900  persons,  with  the  usual 
smaller  halls  and  vestries.  The  spire  is  iSo  feet  high.  The  cost  of  building  and 
land  was  about  $60,000.  The  dedicatory  services  were  preceded  by  a  social 
re-union  of  past  and  present  members. 

Tlie  following  is  an  account  of  the  pastorates  of  the  church  :  The  Rev. 
Thomas  Driver  accepted  the  invitation  of  the  branch  to  supply  it,  shortly  after  its 
formation  in  182S,  and  continued  the  supply  until  the  following  spring,  at  which 
he  was  elected  minister,  and  ordained  April  16,  1829.  His  pastorate  continued 
o\\i^  year  only. 

The  Rev.  Rollin  H.  Neale  was  elected  minister  by  the  branch,  October,  1830, 
sliorlly  after  the  dedication  of  the  first  house.  He  was  then  a  student  in  the 
Newton  Theological  Institution,  and  took  charge  of  the  supply  of  the  pulpit. 
On  account  of  his  connection  with  the  seminary,  he  was  not  publicly  installed 
until  the  completion  of  his  course  on  September  15,  1S33.  At  this  time  he 
entered  upon  his  labors  with  the  independent  church,  in  hope  of  great  and  long- 
continued  usefulness.  But  other  plans  were  soon  formed  by  him,  and  after  serv- 
ing in  his  new  capacity  five  months,  he  was  dismissed  March  19,  1834,  to  the 
sorrow  and  painful  disappointment  of  the  church.  A  long  pastorate  then  seemed 
to  be  needed  to  strengthen  and  consolidate  the  infant  church,  for  the  want  of 
which  it  suffered  much  in  the  early  years  of  its  history. 

The  Rev.  Timothy  R.  Cressey  succeeded  Mr.  Neale,  May  25,  1834,  and 
closed  liis  labors  with  the  church,  at  his  own  request,  June  22,  1835,  after  a  short 
pastorate  of  one  year.  Several  years  now  elapsed,  during  whicli  the  churcli  was 
supplied  by  the  Rev.  Messrs.  J.  G.  Nailor,  H.  F'illy,  S.  Adlam,  and  others,  having 
no  settled  pastor. 

The  Rev.  Thomas  Driver,  upon  invitation,  resumed  his  former  pastorate  in 
December,  1838,  and  continued  the  relation  about  four  years,  till  his  resignation  in 
April,  1843.  During  this  period  the  church  prospered,  and  above  two  hundred 
and  fifty  were  added  to  it  by  letter  and  l)aptism. 

The  Rev.  Duncan  Dunbar  commenced  his  ministry  in  Novemlicr,  1843,  ''^''"^1 
at  his  own  request  closed  it  two  years  from  this  time.  Much  disaffection  arose 
during  this  period,  though  not  introduced  by  him.  After  his  departure  the 
church  recorded  their  estimation  of  him  as  follows  :  "  We  regard  our  former  pastor 
as  one  of  the  most  prudent  and  godly  men  whose  labors  the  cliurch  has  enjoyed." 

The  Rev.  George  W.  Bosworth  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  of  the 
church,  March,  1S46,  and  continued  it  until  January,  1S55.  During  the  nine 
years  of  his  service  general  harmony  prevailed  ;  the  Sabbath  School  enjoyed  great 
prosperity,  and  the  benevolent  enterprises  and  contributions  of  the  church  were 
largely  increased.  After  a  successful  pastorate  of  unusual  length,  the  church  and 
society,  with  great  reluctance,  accepted  Mr.  Bosworth's  resignation. 


THE    SOUrrr   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  57 


The  Rev.  Joseph  A.  Goodhue,  was  installed  November  22,  1855.  The  Rev. 
Baron  Stow  preached  the  sermon  at  his  installation.  After  a  short  pastorate  of 
one  year  and  si.x  months,  Mr.  Goodhue  resigned,  to  the  sorrow  of  his  friends. 
Although  his  ministry  was  short,  it  was  not  without  fruitful  results. 

The  Rev.  John  Duncan  succeeded  to  the  pastorate,  January  1,  1S5S.  Shortly 
after  his  coming,  God  was  pleased  to  bless  the  church  with  a  revival  of  religion, 
in  common  with  the  greater  number  of  the  churches  of  our  Lord.  During  this 
pastorate,  the  churcli  suffered  from  tlie  removal  of  several  of  its  families  and  lead- 
ing members  out  of  town.  This  somewhat  weakened  the  spiritual  power  and  the 
willing  enterprise  of  those  remaining.  After  serving  the  church  five  years  and  three 
months,  Mr.  Duncan  tendered  his  resignation,  which  was  accepted  April  iS,  1863. 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Granville  S.  Abbott,  a  graduate  of  Newton  Theo- 
logical Institute,  who  accepted  the  unanimous  invitation  of  the  church,  in  the 
summer  of  1863,  and  was  ordained  and  settled  as  pastor  on  tlie  evening  of  Sep- 
tember 4th,  following  ;  the  church  continued  united  and  jjrosperous  during  this 
pastorate  ;  it  increased  in  numbers,  and  was  fully  freed  from  the  debt  on  its 
house,  of  so  long  standing.  Mr.  Abbott  resigned  his  charge  and  preached  the 
closing  sermon  of  his  pastorate  on  October  31,  1S69. 

The  church  voted,  on  March  29,  1870,  to  call  the  Rev.  James  S.  Dicker- 
son,  D.  D.,  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  to  the  pastorate,  and  their  call  was  accepted,  and 
recognition  services  were  held  June  5,  1870.  But,  in  consequence  of  impaired 
health.  Dr.  Dickerson  was  obliged  to  resign  his  charge  on  January  31,  1S75. 

During  the  interim  the  church  was  favored,  for  a  short  time,  with  the  labors  of 
the  Rev.  E.  A.  Whittier,  an  evangelist,  and  large  additions  were  made  to  their  num- 
bers ;  but,  needing  a  permanent  pastor,  a  call  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  Henry  A. 
Cordo,  D.  D.,  of  Jersey  City,  who  accepted  it  and  commenced  his  labors  on  Sep- 
tember 5,  1875,  ^i"**^  concluded  his  pastoral  relation  on  Sunday,  June  29,  1878, 
accepting  a  call  to  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

On  Sunday,  October  13,  1878,  the  church  celebrated  its  semi-centennial, 
the  pulpit  being  occupied  by  Rev.  John  Duncan,  1).  D.,  a  former  pastor,  and 
addresses  being  also  given  by  Rev.  R.  H.  Neale,  D.  D.,  and  others. 

The  church  then  extended  a  call  to  Rev.  John  H.  Barrows,  of  Marblehead, 
to  become  their  pastor.  He  accepted  it,  and  preached  on  the  first  Sunday  in 
November,  1878,  but  continued  only  one  year. 

After  a  season  of  deliberation,  and  prayer  that  God  would  guide  them  in 
their  choice,  the  church  voted  to  call  the  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson,  D.  D.,  of 
New  York  City,  to  the  pastorate,  and  he,  after  seeking  the  same  divine  guidance, 
accepted  the  call  and  entered  upon  the  pastorate  April  4,  1880.  He  still  (1883) 
continues  to  fill  the  office  acceptably  and  successfully.  The  present  membership 
is  345.     The  Sunday  School  membership  is  367. 


5  8  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

The  SouthBaptist  Church  has  given  many  evidences  of  its  /.eal  in  si)i-eading 
the  Redeemer's  kingdom  on  earth,  at  home  and  abroad.  It  has  sent  its  repre- 
sentati\es  to  foreign  lands  to  preach  the  gospel ;  it  has  never  been  slacl-:  in  the 
distribution  of  charities  for  the  support  of  benevolent  enterprises,  such  as  the 
building  of  meeting-houses  for  destitute  churches,  the  successful  prosecution  of 
domestic  missions  in  the  city,  etc.  In  connection  witn  this  department  of  chris- 
tian work  in  particular,  it  is  due  to  the  memory  of  the  late  Deacon  George  B. 
Dexter,  to  publish  the  record,  that  in  a  church  meeting  held  March  i8,  1853,  he 
made  the  first  mention  '"of  the  spiritual  wants  of  that  part  of  the  city  called  City 
Point."  As  a  consequence  of  this,  a  Mission  School  was  soon  projected  and  held 
in  a  chapel,  built  from  subscriptions,  for  the  most  part  raised  in  this  church, 
much  of  the  credit  of  raising  which  was  due  to  Deacon  Samuel  Hill,  who  remained 
a  firm  supporter  of  the  interest  during  his  life.  In  spite  of  the  distance  of'  travel, 
and  the  performance  of  similar  labor  at  home,  the  church  sustained  a  Sabbath 
School,  in  this  Mission,  and  occasional  preaching  in  its  chapel  for  years.  After 
five  years  of  labor  at  the  Point,  it  was  voted  unanimously  in  a  church  meeting, 
March  26,  1S5S,  to  dismiss  fifteen  members  of  the  South  Baptist  Church,  at  their 
request,  and  to  give  them  letters  of  recommendation  for  the  purpose  of  uniting  in 
the  formation  of  the  Fourth  Street  Baptist  Church.  This  church  was  accordingly 
formed,  and  soon  after  gave  token  .of  its  increased  strength  by  entering  into  a 
newly  erected  edifice.     The  history  of  this  church  is  given  in  its  proper  place. 

Notwithstanding  that  the  past  of  this  church  has  been  one  of  great  changes, 
and  many  depressing  and  discouraging  influences,  towards  which  the  shortness  of 
its  pastorates  in  other  days  not  a  little  contributed,  still,  scattered  through  much 
adversity,  it  has  had  many  tokens  of  prosperity,  and  God's  goodness  in  many 
ways  demands  praise.  The  church  may  claim,  without  arrogance,  to  have  been 
instrumental  in  saving  hundreds  of  souls,  to  have  been  lavish  of  its  benevolence, 
and  to  have  preserved  the  integrity  of  its  faith  until  now. 

Church  Officers:  —  Pastor:  The  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson,  D.  D. ; 
Deacons  :  Allen  McLeod,  Charles  H.  Dow,  Geo.  O.  Lanphear,  Hadley  P.  Han- 
son ;  Clerk  :  Charles  H.  Dow ;  Treasurer :  Francis  A.  Chase ;  Auditor :  Hadley 
P.  Hanson ;  Superintendent  Sunday  School :  Charles  T.  Ellis. 


THE   HARVARD   STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  59 


The  Harvard  Street  Baptist  Church, 


Harrison  Avenue,  Cor.  Harvard  Street. 


This  church  had  its  origin  in  the  consideration  l^y  a  number  of  Baptists  of 
the  importance  of  establishing  a  new  Baptist  church  in  what  was  then  (1838)  the 
southern  part  of  the  city. 

The  first  meeting  which  led  to  practical  results  in  this  direction  was  held  on 
Wednesday  evening,  September  6,  1838,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  John  F.  Edwards, 
on  Bedford  street.  Only  seven  persons  were  present.  After  full  and  free  confer- 
ence and  earnest  prayer,  these  brothers  consecrated  themselves  and  their  means 
to  the  work.  They  made  generous  pledges  towards  the  enterprise,  and  formed 
themselves  into  a  committee  to  sohcit  the  aid  of  others.  In  October  a  room  was 
hired  in  the  Boylston  Market  building,  and  a  prayer  meeting  was  established  on 
Wednesday  and  Sunday  evenings.  This  was  continued  till  the  first  Sabbath  in 
January,  1839,  when  preaching  was  commenced  in  the  large  hall  of  the  same 
building. 

Notwithstanding  the  meetings  and  services  on  Boylston  street,  no  definite 
measures  had  yet  been  taken  to  organize  a  church.  The  already  existing  churches 
had,  however,  been  consulted,  and  had  most  cordially  approved  the  movement. 
In  fact,  scarcely  a  step  appears  to  have  been  taken  without  asking  advice  of  these 
older  bodies.  The  object  was,  not  to  establish  a  rival  interest,  but  to  add  another 
to  the  fraternity  of  churches.  The  records  still  exist  of  many  meetings  which  the 
brethren  of  the  new  interest  held  with  committees  sent  by  the  churches  previously 
established.  When  the  time  arrived  to  organize  a  church,  a  council  was  invited 
to  give  advice  on  the  subject,  before  the  organization  was  effected,  and  not  to  ratify 
the  action  afterwards,  as  is  usually  the  case.  That  council  met  in  what  was  called 
the  vestry  of  Boylston  Hall,  on  Thursday,  March  21,  1839,  and  the  public  ser- 
vices of  recognition  were  held  in  the  hall  itself  on  Wednesday,  March  2  7th.  The 
church  was  then  called  "  The  Boylston  Street  Church."  It  continued  to  meet  in 
its  first  place  of  worship  for  about  a  year,  and  early  in  1 840  removed  to  the 
Melodeon.  There  it  remained  until  the  present  edifice,  on  the  corner  of  Harvard . 
street  and  Harrison  avenue,  was  completed ;  a  period  of  nearly  three  years. 


60  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

The  corner-stone  of  this  building  was  laid  on  Saturday  morning,  June  i8, 
1842,  and  the  house  was  dedicated  on  Thursday  evening,  December  8th,  of  the 
same  year. 

The  size  of  the  building  is  93  by  68  feet  ;  it  has  a  large  lecture-room,  two 
school-rooms,  and  two  committee-rooms  on  the  lower  floor.  The  main  audience- 
room  measures  72  by  65  feet,  and  has  175  pews,  capable  —  with  the  galleries  — 
of  seating  1,200  persons.  The  building,  completed  and  furnished,  cost  $30,000. 
The  land  was  valued  at  $10,000  additional,  making  in  all  $40,000.  AMien  the 
house  was  first  occupied,  there  remained  upon  it  a  debt  of  about  $20,000,  which 
has  been  slowly  extinguished. 

In  1840,  this  was  the  new  part  of  the  city.  There  were  then  scarcely  any 
buildings  east  of  this,  and  but  few  to  the  south,  along  the  avenue.  The  "  South 
Cove  "  was  just  being  filled  in,  and  the  tide  still  flowed  to  the  rear  of  the  church. 

The  first  pastor  of  the  church  was  the  Rev.  Robert  Turnbull,  D.  D.,  of  Hart- 
ford, who  commenced  his  labors  about  five  months  after  the  organization.  Dr. 
Turnbull  was  pastor  of  the  church  through  its  early  years  of  sacrifice  and  strug- 
gle. To  his  wisdom  and  fidelity  the  efficiency  of  the  church  throughout  has 
been  largely  due.  Especially  was  his  influence  exerted  in  directing  the  sympa- 
thies of  the  church  into  the  great  channels  of  Christian  benevolence.  After  a 
pastorate  of  a  little  less  than  six  years,  he  resigned,  and  returned  to  Hartford. 

The  Rev.  Joseph  Banvard,  D.  D.,  of  Salem,  was  next  called  to  fill  the  vacancy. 
He  accepted,  and  was  publicly  recognized  as  pastor  on  the  15th  of  March,  1846. 
Dr.  Banvard's  ministry  continued  a  little  over  five  years  and  six  months,  when  he 
removed  to  ^Vest  Cambridge. 

There  followed  then  a  long  vacancy,  continuing  for  a  whole  year.  At  length, 
the  Rev.  A.  H.  Burlingham,  of  Owego,  N.  Y.,  was  invited,  and,  having  removed 
to  Boston,  was  recognized  as  pastor,  by  pubHc  services,  on  October  31,  1852.  Dr. 
Burlingham  remained  here  just  four  years,  when  he  accepted  an  invitation  to  New 
York. 

In  December,  1856,  the  Rev.  D.  C.  Eddy,  D.D.,  of  Lowell,  was  chosen  pastor. 
His  recognition  took  place  December  28,  1856.  Dr.  Eddy  resigned  in  October, 
1862,  and  removed  to  Philadelphia,  having  occupied  the  pastorate  about  six  years. 

Dr.  Warren  Randolph  was  invited  from  Philadelphia,  and  began  to  preach 
on  Sunday,  April  26,  1863.  The  recognition  service  was  held  on  the  evening  of 
the  same  day.     Dr.  Randolph  resigned  in  July,  1867. 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  Samuel  W.  Foljambe,  who  was  settled  in  this 
church  in  December,  1867,  and  resigned  in  May  1870. 

Following  him  were  the  Rev.  T.  J.  B.  House,  who  came  to  the  office  in 
December,  1870,  and  retired  in  October,  1872  ;  and  the  Rev.  L.  L.  Wood,  who 
became  pastor  in  Felpruary,  1873,  and  resigned  in  December,   1874. 


THE   HARVARD   STREET  BAPTIST  CHURCH.  61 

111  October,  1876,  the  Rev.  Orrin  T.  Walker,  a  well-known  and  popular 
preacher  of  the  city,  was  mducted  into  the  pastorate,  which  he  still  retains. 

The  church  was  constituted  with  121  members.  Before  any  pastor  had  been 
obtained  twelve  were  added  by  baptism.  Dr.  Turnbull  baptised  342;  Dr.  Ban- 
vard,  78;  Dr.  Burlingham,  52;  Dr.  Eddy,  225;  other  persons  during  pastoral 
vacancies,  14  ;  Dr.  Randolph,  29  ;  there  have  also  been  large  additions  by  bap- 
tism during  each  of  the  succeeding  pastorates,  but  the  exact  numbers  are  not 
given.     The  present  membership  is  about  250. 

In  closing  this  sketch,  it  is  but  fitting  to  refer  particularly  to  the  labors  of  the 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  O.  T.  Walker,  who  came  here  when  the  church  had  been 
for  a  long  time  closed,  and  public  worship  abandoned.  The  Sunday  School  also 
was  spiritually  dead.  God  prospered  his  labors  with  the  struggling  church,  how- 
ever, and  these  gloomy  times  passed,  and  a  regular  call  was  tendered  to,  and 
acccepted  by,  him. 

The  perseverance  and  fidehty  of  both  church  and  pastor  through  this  period 
—  embracing  the  first  three  years  of  Mr.  Walker's  ministry  —  is  deserving  of  great 
commendation.  They  have  been  from  that  time  onward  greatly  prospered.  One 
hundred  and  twenty-five  members  have  been  added  during  this  pastorate,  and  the 
Sunday  School  has  been  resuscitated,  numbering  now  about  200.  Thus  pastor 
and  church  have  rejoiced  to  see  the  reward  of  their  united  labors. 

This  church  has  now  stood  as  a  beacon  light  in  this  neighborhood  for  nearly 
half  a  century,  and  its  past  is  here  recorded.  But  the  church  in  Boston  that  will 
keep  with  the  people  must  be  a  nomadic  church,  pitching  its  tabernacle  only  for 
a  temporary  stay,  and  being  ever  ready  to  strike  its  tent,  and  move  on  with  the 
caravan  of  progress  to  new  fields  and  fresh  conquests.  \\'hether  this  church  will 
be  compelled  to  follow  this  tendency  in  common  with  so  many  of  its  predeces- 
sors cannot  now  (1SS3)  l)e  clearly  seen. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  The  Rev.  O.  T.  Walker  ;  Committee  :  George 
J.  Clifford,  William  Hardwick,  G.  E.  Denison,  C.  D.  White  ;  Treasurer  :  George 
J.  Clifford  ;  Clerk  :  E.  J.  Emory  ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent :   C.  D.  White. 


MU<-- 


62  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 


The  Jamaica  Plain  Baptist  Church, 

Centre  Street,  Corner  of  Myrtle. 


In  the  autumn  of  1840,  several  members  of  neighboring  Baptist  churches, 
residing  at  Jamaica  Plain,  united  in  an  effort  to  support  among  them  the  preaching 
of  the  gospel.  On  the  second  Sunday  in  December,  1840,  the  Village  Hall  was 
opened  for  religious  worship  ;  its  use  having  been  granted  for  the  purpose.  The 
Rev.  AVilliam  H.  Shailer  preached  on  the  occasion. 

After  some  months  of  occasional  supplies,  the  Rev.  N.  Hervey  was  invited 
to  preach  for  a  time.  His  labors  commenced  in  September,  1841.  Early  in  the 
following  January  a  revival  of  religion  commenced,  which  continued  through  sev- 
eral succeeding  months.  In  the  following  months  of  April  and  May,  twenty-eight 
persons  were  accepted  for  baptism  by  the  Baptist  church  in  Roxbury.  The  ser- 
vices of  Rev.  Mr.  Hervey  closed  in  July  of  the  same  year  (1842). 

In  June,  1842,  the  incipient  steps  toward  the  organization  of  a  distinct 
church  were  taken.  After  some  delay,  the  wishes  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  were 
approved  by  a  council  of  churclies  and  ministers.  On  Monday,  the  29th  of 
August,  1842,  public  recognition  services  were  held  at  the  Unitarian  meeting- 
house, in  which  the  Rev.  Dr.  Gray  then  ministered. 

The  church  had  been  for  about  one  year  destitute  of  a  pastor,  when,  in 
July,  1843,  the  Rev.  John  O.  Choules,  D.  D.,  was  invited  to  take  the  pastoral 
charge.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1843,  he  was  publicly  installed;  and,  on  the 
same  day,  the  house  of  worship,  which  for  some  months  had  been  in  process  of 
completion,  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God.  Dr.  Choules  remained  pastor 
about  four  years,  and  in  July,  1847,  having  received  an  invitation  to  become  pas- 
tor of  the  Second  Baptist  Church,  at  Newport,  R.  I.,  at  his  own  request,  he  was 
dismissed. 

The  church,  then,  in  May,  1848,  invited  the  Rev,  William  Hague,  D.  D.,  of 
Boston,  to  settle  among  them.  This  invitation  was  soon  afterwards  accepted  ; 
and,  on  the  first  Lord's  day  in  September  following,  Dr.  Hague  commenced  his 
pastoral  duties.  He  remained  for  about  two  )'ears,  during  which  time  the  con- 
gregation still  augmented.     In  March,  1850,  Dr.  Hague  tendered  his  resignation. 


THE   JAMAICA    PLAIN  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  6  3 

having  been  invited  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Second  Baptist  Church  in 
Newark,  N.  J.  During  his  ministry,  fourteen  members  were  added  to  the  church 
by  baptism,  and  twelve  by  letter. 

In  August,  1850,  the  Rev.  G.  W.  Samson,  of  Washington,  D.  C,  received 
and  accepted  an  invitation  to  the  pastorate  of  the  church,  and  the  public  services 
of  his  recognition  were  held  on  Wednesday,  October  23d.  Forty-one  members 
were  added  to  the  church  during  this  pastorate.     In  October,  1852,  he  resigned. 

In  March,  1853,  the  church  extended  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Heman  Lincoln,  of 
Philadelphia.  The  invitation  was  accepted,  and  he  entered  upon  his  labors  the 
next  June.  During  the  ensuing  two  years,  a  burdensome  debt,  which  had.  been 
resting  upon  the  society  since  the  erection  of  the  church-edifice,  was  paid. 

With  this  encumbrance  removed,  the  church's  prospects  for  the  future 
appeared  unusually  promising.  But,  at  3  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  Friday,  Sep- 
tember 26,  1 85 6,  an  alarm  of  fire  was  sounded,  and  it  was  soon  ascertained  that 
the  Baptist  church  was  in  flames.  In  a  short  time,  the  building,  and  all  its  furni- 
ture and  books,  including  the  library  and  records  of  the  Sabbath  School,  were 
entirely  consumed. 

The  congregation  were  now  left  homeless  ;  but  the  fraternal  kindness  of 
neighboring  religious  bodies  was  so  promptly  manifested,  that  the  regular  meetings 
were  continued  without  interruption  ;  and  the  Sunday  School  was  discontinued  only 
for  a  single  Sabbath.  While  the  fire  was  yet  burning,  the  Third  Congregational 
(Unitarian)  Society  extended  an  earnest  invitation  to  their  Baptist  brethren  to 
occupy  their  house  of  worship  ;  and  this  was  immediately  followed  by  an  equally 
kind  invitation  from  the  Mather  (now  Central)  Congregational  Society. 

It  was  deemed  advisable  to  accept  the  offer  of  the  Unitarian  church  for  Sab- 
bath afternoons  ;  to  use  their  vestry  for  Sabbath  School  and  Sabbath  evening 
prayer  meetings ;  and  to  unite  with  the  Mather  Church  in  the  Friday  evening 
prayer  meetings  and  Sabbath  School  concerts  ;  and  these  arrangements  were  most 
pleasantly  continued  for  more  than  twenty  months,  viz.  :  from  September  28,  1856, 
to  June  20,  1S58. 

Preparatory  measures  were  at  once  taken  for  erecting  a  new  church-edifice. 
The  lot  of  land  on  which  the  burned  building  had  stood  was  sold  and  a  more 
eligible  one  was  purchased  at  the  corner  of  Centre  and  Myrtle  streets.  After 
considerable  delay,  the  corner-stone  of  the  present  building  was  laid,  with  appro- 
priate religious  services,  October  21,   1857. 

The  vestry  was  completed,  and  occupied  by  the  Sabbath  School  on  Sunday 
morning,  June  20,  1858  ;  and  the  regular  services,  morning  and  evening,  followed. 

On  the  2ist  of  December,  1858,  the  Rev.  Heman  Lincoln  tendered  his 
resignation,  which  was  accepted  at  a  special  church  -  meeting  held  January 
25,   1859. 


64  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

Mr.  Lincoln  served  tliis  church  as  pastor  five  years  and  seven  months  ;  and, 
notwithstanding  the  want  of  a  special  house  of  worship  for  twenty-one  months  of 
this  time,  and  with  only  preaching  service  once  upon  the  Sabbath,  yet  the  church 
had  never  enjoyed  greater  prosperity  than  under  his  pastorate.  The  increase  of 
membership  during  this  time  was  forty-six  by  baptism  and  forty-two  by  letter,  with 
one  by  restoration  ;  making  a  total  of  eighty-nine. 

On  the  25th  of  August,  1859,  the  new  church  building  was  dedicated.  It  is 
a  handsome  edifice,  with  the  appearance  of  light  freestone.  The  stone,  however, 
of  which  the  walls  are  comi:)osed  is  embedded  in  a  complete  cover,  extremely 
thick,  'of  mastic,  of  great  durability,  and  which  increases  in  hardness  with  age. 
The  superficial  extent  of  the  house  is  about  100  feet  by  52,  and  has  a  seating 
capacity  of  600.  There  are  also  two  vestry  rooms,  suitable  for  meetings,  and 
capable  of  holding  resj^ectively  300  and  100  persons.  These  rooms  are  arranged 
to  be  thrown  into  one  when  necessary. 

An  interregnum  then  occurred  until  May  i,  i860;  when  the  Rev.  Charles 
DeWitt  Bridgman  accepted  and  entered  upon  the  duties  of  the  pastorate,  having 
received  a  call  from  the  church  and  society  in  the  precceding  March.  Mr.  Bridg- 
man's  pastorate  was  of  short  duration.  He  first  tendered  nis  resignation  Novem- 
ber 19,  1861  ;  but,  being  then  persuaded  to  withdraw  it  for  a  time,  he  again 
tendered  it  October  30,  1862,  when  it  was  reluctantly  accepted.  During  Mr. 
Bridgman's  services  the  membership  was  increased  by  the  addition  of  thirteen  by 
baptism,  and  twenty-three  by  letter ;  total,  thirty-six. 

On  the  second  Sabbath  in  January,  1863,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  Adoni- 
ram  Judson  Gordon,  then  a  student  in  that  celebrated  nursery  of  clergymen,  the 
Theological  seminary  at  Newton.  His  services  on  this  occasion  were  so  accept- 
able to  the  people  that  he  was  again  invited  to  preach  ;  and,  finally,  he  received  a 
call  to  become  the  pastor,  at  the  regular  church-meeting  held  February  17,  1863. 
This  invitation  was  accepted  March  20,  with  the  provision  that  Mr.  Oordon  should 
not  enter  upon  his  duties  until  the  close  of  his  studies  at  Newton,  in  June.  He 
united  with  the  church  on  May  26,  1863,  and  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  July,  1863, 
commenced  his  labors  as  pastor. 

The  society  had  now  a  very  heavy  debt  resting  upon  it,  occasioned  by  the 
building  of  the  new  church-edifice,  amounting,  at  this  time,  to  about  $17,000. 
This  encumbrance  had  been  a  great  drawback  to  the  church.  In  1864,  it  was 
determined  to  commence  an  effort  for  the  payment  of  the  entire  amount,  and 
subscriptions  were  solicited  for  that  purpose.  The  responses  to  the  appeal  made 
were  so  prompt  and  liberal,  that,  in  October,  it  was  announced  that  subscriptions 
had  been  received  sufficient  to  cover  very  nearly  the  wliole  amount  needed.  The 
greater  part  of  the  debt  was  at  once  discharged  ;  but  the  entire  amount  was  not 
fully  paid  until  April,  1868.     During  this  time,  extensive  repairs  had  been  made 


a 

r 


THE  JAMAICA   PLAIN  BAPTIST  CHURCH.  65 

on  the  exterior  of  the  building ;  so  that  the  extra  amount  raised  in  four  years, 
aside  from  ordinary  current  expenses  and  benevolent  contributions,  was  about 
$25,000.  At  the  annual  meeting  in  April,  186S,  it  was  announced  that  the  soci- 
ety was  entirely  free  from  debt,  which  happy  condition  continues  to  the  pres- 
ent time  (1883). 

Under  these  favorable  circumstances,  it  was  now  hoped  to  enjoy  an  enlarged 
prosperity;  which  anticipation  was,  to  some  extent,  realized.  But,  in  August, 
1869,  Mr.  Gordon  tendered  his  resignation,  having  received  an  urgent  invitation 
to  become  the  pastor  of  the  Clarendon  Street  Church,  Boston.  This  church  had 
extended  and  persistently  pressed  a  similar  call  in  February,  1867,  when  it  was 
declined.  This  time,  however,  an  affirmative  answer  was  given.  Mr.  Gordon's 
resignation  took  effect  on  the  first  Sabbath  in  November,   1869. 

Besides  the  payment  of  thousands  of  dollars  of  indebtedness  during  the 
pastorate  of  Mr.  Gordon,  the  church  was  also  increased  in  numbers,  and  in  spirit- 
ual graces  and  efficiency.  In  the  six  years  and  seven  months  of  his  service,  there 
were  received  into  the  church  by  experience,  one  ;  by  letter,  fifty ;  and  by  bap- 
tism, seventy-two ;  being  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  members  ;  or 
more  than  one-fourth  of  all  admissions  to  membership,  including  the  fifty-nine 
original  members,  since  the  church  was  constituted. 

The  pulpit  continued  to  be  supplied  by  different  clergymen  until  September 
12,  1870,  when  an  invitation  was  extended  to  the  Rev.  James  Paterson,  from 
Scotland,  wlio  had  already  preached  here  for  six  Sabbaths,  to  serve  as  preacher 
and  pastor  for  one  year.  Mr.  Paterson  accepted  the  invitation,  and  entered  upon 
his  duties  the  last  Sabbath  in  September,  1S70. 

On  the  completion  of  Mr.  Paterson's  engagement  as  limited  temporary 
supply,  in  September,  1871,  he  retired;  the  church  having  failed  to  extend  to 
him  a  call  to  assume  the  regular  pastorate.  His  successor  was  the  Rev.  D.  P. 
Morgan,  who  came  from  the  Newton  Theological  Seminary.  He  was  settled  on 
September  i,  1872,  and  resigned  November  i,  1875. 

The  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  D.  H.  Taylor,  then  accepted  the  call  of  the 
church,  and  was  settled  in  February,  1877.  He  still  remains  at  the  helm  of 
this  Gospel  Ship,  and  it  is  hoped  may  long  continue  there. 

The  membership  now  (1883)  stands  at  235.  The  Sunday  School  member- 
ship is  259. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  D.  H.  Taylor ;  Deacons  :  William  Man- 
ning, J.  W.  Leatherbee,  B.  F.  Cutter,  N.  B.  Chamberlin,  Nathaniel  Weld ;  Treas- 
urer :  B.  F.  -Cutter ;  Clerk  :  Samuel  P.  Putnam  ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent : 
N.  B.  Chamberlin. 


The  Central  Square  Baptist  Church, 


East  Boston. 


The  field  now  occupied  by  the  Central  Square  Baptist  Church  of  East  Boston 
furnished  an  asylum  for  the  persecuted  Baptists  of  the  city  on  the  main  land,  more 
than  two  hundred  years  ago. 

Mr.  Thomas  Gould,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  First  Baptist  Church,  removed 
to  Noddle's  Island,  now  East  Boston,  about  1670,  and  *■'  at  his  house  the  church 
assembled  for  a  number  of  years."  It  is  still  almost  within  living  memory  when 
there  was  but  a  single  house  on  this  island.  In  1832,  the  East  Boston  Company 
commenced  its  operations,  and  the  population  rapidly  increased.  In  1843  the 
inhabitants  were  estimated  at  4,000;  in  1855,  at  17,000;  and  in  1870,  at  30,000. 

In  1843,  the  Baptists  residing  here,  then  numbering  about  forty  members, 
asked  advice  from  a  committee  of  the  churches  in  the  city  with  regard  to  the 
organization  of  a  church  in  this  field.  That  committee,  under  the  date  of  Sep- 
tember 2,  1843,  returned  the  following  answer  :  "  That  we  recommend  to  the 
brethren  in  East  Boston  to  go  forward  in  their  undertaking  to  establish  a  Baptist 
interest  in  that  place ;  it  being  understood,  however,  that  this  committee  do  not 
hereby  pledge  the  several  churches  to  which  they  belong  to  any  pecuniary  aid  in 
the  enterprise."  This  reply  was  considered  sufficiently  encouraging  to  warrant 
the  brethren  "  to  go  forward  in  their  imdertaking ;  "  which  they  did,  and  public 
religious  services  were  commenced  in  a  hall  in  October,  1843,  under  the  ministry 
of  the  Rev.  Hiram  A.  Graves,  then  editor  of  the  Christiaji  Reflector,  who  had 
been  engaged  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  one  year.  The  church  was  formally  organ- 
ized September  24,  1844,  and  recognized  by  a  council  of  churches  on  November 
7th,  of  the  same  year.  It  consisted  of  thirty  members.  Mr.  Graves  completed 
his  term  of  service,  but  his  feeble  health,  together  with  his  duties  as  editor,  for- 
bade his  continuing  longer. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  church  held  October  25,  1844,  the  Rev.  Joseph  M. 
Graves,  the  father  of  Hiram  A.,  was  called  to  become  their  first  pastor.  He 
accepted  the  call  and  entered  upon  his  labors  January  i,  1845.     During  his  pas- 


THE    CENTRAL    SQUARE  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  67 

torate  31  members  were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism,  and  39  by  letter  and 
experience.  Soon  after  he  commenced  his  labors  with  this  people,  the  hall'  in 
which  they  worshiped,  and  which  they  had  fitted  up  at  considerable  expense,  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  Removals  ft-om  place  to  place  followed  in  rapid  saccesion. 
These  were  not  conducive  to  the  growth  of  the  congregation,  and  yet  there  was 
a  healthy  progress.  For  several  months  the  church  was  kindly  welcomed  by  the 
Maverick  Society  to  their  house  of  worship  —  a  favor  again  enjoyed  several  years 
afterwards.     Mr.  Graves  resigned  the  pastorate  June  7,  1847. 

The  Rev.  Miles  Sanford  was  recognized  as  pastor  December  26,  1847.  ^^ 
resigned  in  January,  1851.  Under  his  pastorate  4  members  were  added  to  the 
church  by  baptism,  and  26  by  letter  and  experience. 

The  church  suffered,  alike  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Graves  and  Mr.  Sanford, 
for  the  lack  of  a  suitable  church  home  ;  and  its  permanent  growth  and  prosperity 
were  greatly  hindered. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  James  N.  Sykes,  who  entered,  on  his  labors 
July  I,  1 85 1.  His  pastorate  was  of  longer  duration  than  that  of  either  of  his 
predecessors.  The  great  work  achieved  by  the  church  and  society  under  his 
labors  was  the  erection  of  tlieir  new  house  of  worship.  As  originally  erected,  it 
was  a  substantial  brick  building,  55  feet  wide,  the  main  edifice  78  feet  long,  and 
its  extreme  length  108  feet.  Its  spire  rose  150  feet  from  the  pavement.  The 
house  was  publicly  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God  on  April  4,  1855.  More 
than  eleven  years  and  a  half  had  passed  since  the  time  when  public  services  had 
first  been  commenced  by  the  society,  and  during  more  than  ten  years  and  a  half 
the  church  had  prayed,  labored,  and  struggled  to  reach  this  result.  In  the  course 
of  INIr.  Sykes'  ministry  67  members  were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism,  and  92 
by  letter  and  experience.  He  resigned  his  pastorate  on  June  26,  1858,  having 
sustained  the  pastoral  relation  to  the  church  for  nearly  seven  years. 

On  January  i,  1859,  the  Rev.  S.  W,  Foljambe  entered  upon  his  work  as  pas- 
tor of  the  church.  The  congregation  was  small.  But  under  the  ministry  of  Mr. 
Foljambe,  the  church  enjoyed  a  steady  and  healthful  growth.  Though  his  pas- 
torate covered  the  exciting  period  of  the  great  civil  war,  the  evidences  of  spiritual 
prosperity  were  many  and  encouraging.  Under  his  ministry  T15  members  were 
added  to  the  church  by  baptism,  and  1 16  by  letter  and  experience,  and  the  congre- 
gation was  largely  increased  in  numbers  and  resources.  Mr.  Foljambe  closed  his 
labors  with  the  church  May  5,  1867,  after  a  pastorate  of  eight  and  one-third  years. 

On  the  first  Sabbath  in  November,  1867,  the  Rev.  D.  B.  Cheney,  D.  D.,  com- 
menced his  work  with  this  church  as  a  supply.  He  continued  in  this  relation  for 
four  months,  when  he  moved  to  the  field,  and  entered  upon  fiill  pastoral  work. 
It  had  been  his  privilege  to  enter  into  the  labors  of  those  who  had  preceded  him, 
and  to  reap  where  they  had  sown.     During  the  course  of  his  ministry  385  mem- 


68  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

bers  were  added  to  the  church.  Its  membership,  congregations,  i)rayer  meetings, 
Sabbath  School,  and  general  resources  were  larger  than  ever. 

On  the  24th  of  September,  i860,  the  church  celebrated  the  25th  anniversary 
of  its  organization  by  a  "  Social  Re-union." 

In  1870  the  church  experienced  a  severe  disaster  in  the  burning  of  its 
edifice,  which  happened  on  July  25th.  This  distressing  accident,  however,  served 
to  display  the  zeal  and  activity,  and  administrative  ability  of  the  pastor  in  a 
stronger  light.  Under  his  active  supervision  the  work  of  rebuilding  was  quickly 
undertaken,  and,  within  the  following  year,  the  church  arose  anew  from  its  ashes, 
greatly  enlarged,  and  in  every  way  improved.  In  order  to  obtain  the  necessary 
additional  space,  two  houses  and  lots  in  the  rear  of  the  church  were  purchased  at 
a  cost  of  $10,000.  The  rebuilding  and  improvement  involved  an  expense  of 
$40,000,  thus  making  an  expenditure  of  $50,000.  In  addition  to  this  there 
remained  an  old  debt  of  $5,000,  being,  in  all  $55,000.  The  amount  of  insurance 
was  but  $25,000,  and  a  debt  of  $30,000  was  laid  upon  the  society,  which  was 
shortly  reduced  to  $7,000,  secured  by  a  mortgage.  The  interest  on  this  was  paid 
by  the  income  from  the  property  in  the  rear  of  the  building.  Dr.  Cheney  resigned 
the  pastorate  March  i,  1874. 

His  successor  was  the  Rev.  G.  F.  Warren,  who  began  his  pastoral  labors  in 
this  church  on  October  3,  1875.  During  this  ministry  the  permanent  debt  was 
increased  to  $10,000.  A  want  of  accord  on  the  part  of  some  members  of  the 
church  produced  a  breach,  which  caused  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Warren  in  Jan- 
uary, 1878.  From  this  arose  the  foundation  of  the  Trinity  Baptist  Church  of  East 
Boston.  The  members  of  the  Central  Church  who  supported  Mr.  Warren  —  a 
body  numbering  218  —  took  their  letters  from  the  Central  Church  at  this  time 
and  organized  the  Trinity  Church,  under  Mr.  Warren's  pastoral  charge,  in  March 
1878.  At  the  close  of  this  pastorate  the  membership  stood  at  332,  after  the 
secession  of  the  number  above  mentioned. 

After  this  event,  the  Rev.  J.  Spencer  Kennard  accepted  the  pastorate,  and 
continued  until  January  i,  1882,  when  he  resigned.  The  number  of  members  at 
this  time  was  391. 

In  May,  1883,  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Richardson  was  chosen  pastor.  The  present 
membership  is  373. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  J.  K.  Richardson  ;  Deacons  :  B. 
L.  Crocker,  O.  O.  Could,  J.  M.  Getchell ;  Clerk  :  F.  A.  Johnson  ;  Treasurer : 
T.E.  Currier;  Collector:  J.  W.  Swint ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent:  W.  B 
Forest. 


The  Ruggles  Street  Baptist  Church, 


RuGGLES    Street. 


This  church  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  mission  estabUshed  by  the  Shawmut  Avenue 
Baptist  Church,  at  Branch  Chapel  on  Washington  street,  afterwards  removing  to 
Ruggles  street,  where  the  church  was  organized  in  December,  1870,  under  the 
leadership  of  its  present  pastor.  Rev.  R.  G.  Seymour,  D.  D.  At  the  start  there 
were  only  thirty  members,  while  the  present  membership  is  over  700,  a  major- 
ity being  converts  received  by  baptism.  The  Sunday  School,  beginning  with 
less  than  300,  has  steadily  grown  from  year  to  year,  and  now  numbers  about 
1,550;  and  is  divided  into  a  Bible  School,  an  Intermediate  Section,  and  a  Pri- 
mary Department.  The  original  sanctuary  was  of  plain  exterior,  and  limited 
accommodations.  After  being  enlarged  three  times,  to  meet  the  needs  of  the  con- 
gregation, the  edifice  is  now  one  of  the  most  pleasant  and  commodious  houses  of 
worship  in  Boston. 

This  interest  was  supported  by  the  Shawmut  Avenue  Church  until  1874,  when  it 
became  an  independent  body  ;  and  has  now  five  persons  besides  the  pastor  who, 
as  assistants  and  missionaries,  give  their  entire  attention  to  its  labors. 

One  of  its  chief  aims  is  to  care  for  the  whole  man — not  neglecting  the  body, 
while  doing  everything  for  the  soul.  Hence,  it  does  a  great  work  among  the 
poor;  ministering  to  their  temporal  and  spiritual  necessities,  and  assisting  many 
to  procure  suitable  employment.  Another  special  feature  is  its  educational  work, 
which  is  carried  on  in  the  new  chapel  building,  adjoining  the  church,  and  includes 
a  well  furnished  reading-room,  with  classes,  under  skillful  teachers,  for  the  instruc- 
tion of  young  men  and  women  in  various  branches. 

It  makes  every  effort  to  cultivate  the  spirit  of  song,  and  affords  excellent 
facilities  for  young  and  old  to  become  proficient  in  this  glorious  art.  As  a  result, 
the  Sabbath  service  is  beautified  by  well-rendered  music  from  an  accomplished 
male  quartette,  and  by  unusually  fine  congregational  singing. 

A  marked  experience  is  the  continued  presence  of  the  Spirit  in  the  conver- 
sion of  souls.     Many  seasons  of  remarkable  refreshing  have  been  enjoyed  :  of  late 


7  0  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 


there  has  been  a  steady  inflow  of  converts  \  baptisms  occuring  nearly  every 
month,  and  all  the  meetings  being  well  attended.  On  Sunday  morning  the  spacious 
auditorium  is  often  over  crowded,  and  the  attendance  at  the  Sunday  school 
averages  overi,ooo.     As  many  as  1,300  have  been  present  at  a  single  session. 

This  is  a  free  church  in  the  fullest  meaning  of  the  term.  Rich  and  poor  sit 
together,  in  perfect  equality,  and  a  right  hand  of  cordial  welcome  is  extended  to 
all  who  enter  its  doors.     The  support  is  entirely  from  \-oluntary  contributions. 

The  success  of  this  church  is  largely  due  to  efficient  committee  work.  In 
addition  to  the  committees  usually  connected  with  large  societies,  it  has  a  com- 
mittee on  Neighborhood  Meetings,  who  sustain  a  weekly  gathering  for  prayer  and 
praise  some  distance  from  the  church,  in  which  there  is  a  constant  and  growing 
interest.  The  Committee  on  Young  Christians  and  Inquirers  look  after  the 
welfare  of  those  who  have  lately  put  on  Christ,  and  labor  to  assist  seeking  souls 
in  inquiry  meetings,  or  wherever  such  can  be  found.  The  Strangers'  Committee 
endeavor  to  become  acquainted  with  all  new  members  of  the  congregation,  to 
visit  them  at  their  homes,  and  to  secure  their  presence  in  the  Sunday  school. 
The  Committee  on  Social  Gatherings  look  after  meetings  held  for  the  purpose  of 
friendly  intercourse,  and  take  measures  to  make  such  gatherings  enjoyable  and 
beneficial.  The  Committee  on  Absent  Members,  communicates  with,  and  gen- 
erally keeps  track  of,  members  living  at  a  distance.  The  Temperance  Committee 
conducts  a  Gospel  Temperance  Meeting  every  Sunday  afternoon.  During  the 
Winter  these  gatherings  are  held  in  the  chapel,  and  in  warm  weather,  out  of 
doors.  Members  of  this  committee  also  go  about  in  groups  of  five  or  six,  and 
hold  prayer  meetings  at  the  homes  of  those  under  the  bondage  of  alcohol.  The 
Ladies'  Devotional  Committee  sustain  two  weekly  prayer  meetings  for  ladies ; 
and  the  Committee  on  Sick  and  Needy  do  a  great  work,  while  ministering  to 
the  pressing  wants  of  those  afflicted  with  disease,  and  those  in  situations  requiring 
material  assistance. 

This  church  is  a  legally  organized  corporate  body ;  having  discarded  the 
old  custom  —  which  has  obtained  so  long  in  New  England  —  of  having  a  society 
separate  from  the  church.  It  is  empowered  to  transact  all  business  relating  to  its 
material  affairs ;  and  every  member  has  part  in  the  control  of  its  property  by 
vote. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor,  The  Rev.  R.  G.  Seymour,  D.  D. ;  Clerk  :  Geo. 
V.  Burr;  Treasurer  :  Wm.  N.  Hartshorn  ;  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School :  Chas. 
B.  Lane ;  Deacons  :  Sam'l.  Sargent,  Jas.  A.  Crowe,  O.  A.  Drisko,  Joseph  Bryan. 


THE   NEPONSET  AVENUE   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  71 


The  Neponset  Avenue  Baptist  Church, 

Chickatawbut  Street,  Neponset. 


In  the  summer  of  1836,  religious  services  began  to  be  held  every  Sabbath 
in  Neponset  Hall,  conducted  principally  by  students  from  Newton  Theological 
Institution.  In  June  of  the  following  year—  1837  —  the  members  organized 
themselves  into  a  church,  and  were  duly  recognized  by  a  Council,  which  met  on 
the  seventh  of  that  month,  as  a  regularly  constituted  Baptist  Church. 

The  Rev.  Bradley  Miner  conmienced  to  supply  the  church  immediately  after 
the  recognition,  and  was  duly  installed  as  Pastor  on  August  9,  1837.  The  church 
at  this  time  numbered  twenty  members. 

The  church  worshiped  in  Neponset  Hall  until  August,  1838,  when  the 
present  Meeting-house  was  opened.     In  1843  the  building  was  enlarged. 

Mr.  Miner  closed  his  pastorate  in  April,  1846,  having  served  the  church  for 
over  eight  years.     He  died  in  1854. 

In  July,  1846,  the  Rev.  Humphrey  Richards  became  the  pastor,  and  con- 
tinued until  his  death,  which  occurred  in  September,  1854. 

The  Rev.  B.  W.  Barrows  was  the  next  pastor.  He  had  but  recently  gradu- 
ated from  the  Newton  Theological  Institution,  and  was  ordained  pastor  of  this 
church  on  May  30th,  1855.  He  resigned  on  January  ist,  1873.  After  him,  the 
Rev.  J.  F.  Morton  led  the  devotions  of  the  church  for  about  two  and  a  half  years, 
resigning  in  September,  1875. 

He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Joseph  Banvard,  D.  D.,  the  present  pastor, 
who  is  now  (1883)  in  the  eighth  year  of  his  pastorate,  having  been  called  to  the 
leadership  of  the  church  in  January,  1876. 

About  two  years  ago,  a  Branch  was  established  by  this  church  at  Milton 
Lower  Mills,  which  subsequently  became  an  Independent  Baptist  Church. 

Church  Officers  :— Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Joseph  Banvard,  D.  D. ;  Clerk  :  F. 

J.    Lincoln;  Deacons:  David  Fales,  James  T.  Murphy;  Treasurer: Pratt; 

Sunday  School  Superintendent :  John  M.  Barker. 


7  2  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 


The  Bunker  Hill  Baptist  Church, 


Charlestowx. 


This  church  was  organized  on  the  2Sth  of  February,  1S50,  in  Mystic  Hall, 
Charlestovvn,  under  the  name  of  the  Bethesda  Baptist  Church,  with  a  membership 
of  71.  The  pastor  was  the  Rev.  John  Blain,  previously  of  the  High  Street  Baptist 
Church,  Charlestown.     The  first  communion  was  observed  June  2d,  1850. 

In  November,  1 85 o,  fourteen- of  the  neighboring  churches  were  invited  to 
act  as  a  C  ouncil  to  consider  the  propriety  oi  recognising  the  Bethesda  Baptist 
Church,  and  admitting  it  into  communion  with  the  denomination.  The  Council 
unanimously  voted  to  receive  the  church  into  fellowship. 

Mr.  Blain  resigned  the  pastorate  on  August  14th,  1S53,  and  was  succeeded 
by  the  Rev.  E.  H.  Page,  of  New  York,  who  was  installed  November  2d,  1853. 

Mr.  Page  resigned  in  September,  1857.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  H.  C. 
Graves,  who  accepted  a  call  in  March,  1858.  This  pastorate  was  extren-u:;ly  successful, 
and  during  it  the  church  was  increased  greatly.  In  the  interim  between  these  two 
pastorates,  special  services  were  held,  at  the  church's  invitation,  by  the  Evangelist, 
Mr.  Earle,  which  were  attended  with  marked  success,  as  shown  by  the  large 
accession  to  the  membership. 

Mr.  Graves  resigned  in  July,  1863.  The  charge  of  this  church  was  then 
assumed  by  the  Rev.  J.  B.  Morse  who  was  settled  in  September,  1863,  and  resigned 
in  January,  1867  — this  pastor  also  was  greatly  blessed  in  his  work,  and  his  name  is 
yet  highly  esteemed  among  the  people  of  this  district  —  and  next  by  the  Rev. 
Luther  F.  Beecher,  D.  D.,  installed  March,  1S67,  and  resigned  December,  1868. 
The  pastors  who  followed  were  the  Rev.  Addison  Parker,  settled  in  June,  1869, 
and  resigned  in  September,  1873  ;  and  the  Rev.  W.  O.  Holman,  who  was  settled 
February,  1S74,  and  resigned  in  April,  1881.  Both  these  pastors  were  greatly 
successful,  and  garnered  many  shea\-es  for  the  church. 

The  Rev.  W.  M.  Weeks  then  assumed  the  pastoral  charge  —  in  April,  1882  — 
for  a  term  of  six  months,  at  the  end  of  which  tune  he  was  compelled  to  retire  on 
account  of  ill  health. 


THE  BUNKER  HILL   BAPTIST   CHURCH.  7  3 

After  this  pastorate,  the  church  remained  for  many  months  without  a  pastor 
until  the  election  of  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  C.  F.  Nicholson,  late  of  the 
North  Church,  New  Bedford,  which  occurred  in  May,  1S83. 

The  original  name  of  the  Church  —  the  Bethesda  Baptist  Church  —  was 
changed  by  vote  to  the  present  one,  the  Bunker  Hill  Baptist  Church,  in  February, 
1854.     The  church  membership  is  295,  and  that  of  the  Sunday  school,  268. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  Rev.  C.  F.  Nicholson  ;  Deacons  :  William  A. 
Byam,  William  Howard,  H.  J.  Mason,  L.  Bruce ;  Clerk :  W,  Arthur  Snow ; 
Treasurer  :  Andrew  Tower ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent,  G.  M.  Starbird. 


The  Trinity  Baptist  Church, 

East   Boston. 


This  church  is  an  offshoot  from  the  Central  Square  Baptist  Church,  East 
Boston,  and  is  the  youngest  Baptist  Church  in  the  City,  having  been  organized  in 
January,  1878.  At  this  time  the  Rev.  George  F.  Warren  retired  from  the  Central 
Square  Church,  carrying  with  him  2 1 8  members  of  the  congregation,  and  thus 
formed  the  Trinity  Church.    • 

In  the  fall  of  18S1,  the  Rev.  Nelson  B.  Jones,  Jr.,  became  the  pastor,  and 
great  success  has  attended  the  united  efforts  of  pastor  and  people  to  promote  true 
religion  in  this  community,  which  is  a  rapidly  growing  one.  During  1882  nearly 
150  new  members  were  received;  about  100  of  them  being  by  baptism.  The 
present  membership  reaches  360.  The  fervor  of  youth  is  upon  this  body  of 
Christians,  and  the  spirit  of  aggressiveness  characterizes  every  member  of  it. 
The  Sunday  school  is  a  prosperous  one,  and  has  a  membership  of  475. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Nelson  B.  Jones,  Jr. ;  Deacons  :  H. 
Mayo,  J.  Townsend,  F.  Rice,  F.  Fay,  J.  Bezanson,  S.  C.  Hopkins ;  Treasurer : 
H.  Mayo ;  Clerk  :  S.  H.  Mayo ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent,  Jas.  Townsend. 


74  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Baptist  Bethel, 

H/NovER,  COR.  Bennett  Streets. 


A  little  more  than  forty  years  ago  the  Baptists  of  Boston  began  their  Bethel 
enterprise.  At  that  time  only  an  experiment,  it  has  now  become  an  established 
and  successful  fact ;  an  institution  which  is  an  integral  part  of  the  Baptist  denom- 
ination of  the  city  of  Boston,  representing,  and  represented  by,  all  its  churches. 
The  efforts  put  forth  in  behalf  of  seamen,  by  this  society,  through  its  several 
branches  has  received  the  manifest  blessing  of  God. 

The  first  distinctively  Baptist  movement  of  this  kind  was  made  in  1S43,  ^^^^ 
with  no  marked  success.  It  was  the  beginning,  however,  of  great  things.  In 
1845  the  cause  of  seamen  was  taken  up  in  real  earnest,  a  Baptist  Bethel  Society 
being  organized  in  June  of  that  year  by  a  committee  of  three  —  Thomas  Rich- 
ardson, William  Crowell,  and  Frederick  Gould,  —  chosen  for  that  purpose  by  the 
different  churches  in  the  city  and  vicinity.  "  It  was  formed,"  says  the  committee, 
"  after  several  preliminary  meetings,  and  much  inquiry,  deliberation  and  prayer, 
by  a  delegation  from  all,  or  nearly  all,  the  churches,  chosen  for  that  purpose,  and 
with  the  cordial  approbation  of  all  the  pastors."  A  small  hall  was  opened  at  the 
corner  of  Lewis  and  Commercial  streets  for  religious  services,  which  were  con- 
ducted by  the  Rev.  Phineas  Stowe,  who  had  just  been  called  to  that  work.  In 
1850  a  regular  church  organization  was  established  with  sixteen  members. 

Thus  commenced  the  "  Bethel  Seamen's  Mission  ;  "  which,  weak  and  appar- 
ently insignificant  in  its  beginning,  has  developed  into  a  truly  "  mighty  work,"  as 
it  was  so  aptly  called  by  its  founder,  Mr.  Stowe. 

Under  the  zealous  ministrations  of  Mr.  Stowe,  interest  in  the  Bethel  cause  was 
continually  stirred  up  and  kept  fresh,  and  public  meetings  of  the  society  were  held 
from  time  to  time,  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  its  work  and  wants  to  the  churches. 

In  April,  1846,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  Bowdoin  Square  Church,  which 
was  addressed  by  Rev.  Messrs.  Blain,  Colver,  and  Hague.  The  report  of  the 
committee  spoke  in  the  strongest  terms  of  the  success  attending  the  labors  of  Mr. 
Stowe,  and  dverted  to  the  growing  interest  in  the  Bethel  cause  among  the 
churches. 


THE   BAPTIST  BETHEL. 


75 


In  July,  1846,  the  committee  of  the  society,  consisting  of  nineteen  brethren, 
from  nine  churches,  issued  a  circular,  in  which  they  stated,  that  though  the  society 
was  begun  as  an  experiment,  the  first  year's  trial  had  exceeded  their  highest 
hopes.  They  we*-e.  therefore,  encouraged  to  make  an  earnest  appeal  to  the 
churches  for  further  assistance. 

The  churches  were  the  following-:  Union  Street  Church,  Baldwin  Place, 
Charles  Street,  Federal  Street,  Bowdoin  Square,  Harvard  Street,  Tremont  Street, 
South  Baptist,  Friend  Street. 


BOSTON     BAPTIST    BETHEL    CHURCH. 


According  to  the  constitution  of  the  society,  every  Baptist  church  electing 
two  members  annually,  and  contributing  to  its  funds,  becomes,  in  part,  owner  and 
manager  of  the  Bethel  hurch  property;  and  this  property  can  never  be  dis- 
posed of  except  by  a  vote  of  the  society.  As  new  churches  have  sprung  up,  in 
the  course  of  years,  in  Boston  and  vicinity,  they  have  evinced  a  deep  interest  in 
the  Bethel  cause,  so  that  at  present  the  society  has  a  membership  representing 
thirty-eight  churches. 


L 


76 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  work  of  the  society  has  gradually  extended,  embracing  now  several 
departments,  —  the  Church  proper,  which  lias  its  own  independent  action,  the 
Sunday  School,  the  Mariner's  Exchange,  a  temi)erance  organization,  and  a  great 
amount  o{  general  work,  —  involving  an  annual  expense  of  some  $5,000,  more 
than  $2,000  of  which  come  from  the  church. 

The  purchase,  in  1864,  of  the  present  church  edifice,  on  Hanover  street,  was 
an  important  event  in  the  history  of  the  society.  The  Bethel  work,  under  Mr. 
Stowe's  indefatigable  and  greatly  successful  labors,  had  far  outgrown  existing 
accommodations,  and  rendered  a  removal  from  the  small  and  inconvenient  hall  on 
Lewis  street,  to  a  larger  and  more  commodious  building  an  absolute  necessity. 

The  spot  where  this  church  now  stands,  the  corner  of  Hanover  and  North 
Bennett  streets,  is  a  historic,  and  was  once  an  aristocratic,  locality.  The  Rev.  Dr. 
Samuel  Mather,  son  of  Dr.  Cotton  Mather,  and  grandson  of  Dr.  Increase  Mather, 
was  dismissed  from  the  Second  Congregational  Church,  worshipping  in  North 
Square,  in  December,  1 741 ,  and,  in  the  following  year,  a  wooden  edifice  was  erected 
by  his  friends  on  this  spot,  in  which  he  preached  for  about  forty  years.  After  his 
death  the  church  was  purchased  by  the  Universalists,  and  the  Rev.  John  Murray 
was  installed  pastor  in  1793.     The  present  brick  structure  was  erected  in  1838. 

This  "  Seamen's  Apostle,"  the  Rev.  Phineas  Stowe,  was  not,  however,  allowed 
to  continue  his  work  long  in  the  new  location.  He  died  in  November,  186S,  and 
the  strong  impression  which  he  had  made  on  the  whole  religious  community  of 
Boston  as  a  true  man  of  God  was  touchingly  shown  by  the  deep  and  universal 
mourning  evinced  by  all  classes  at  his  funeral.  His  remains  were  taken,  after  most 
solemn  services  at  the  Bethel  Church,  to  his  native  town,  Milford,  Conn.,  where 
they  were  finally  laid  at  rest. 

A  handsome  marble  tablet,  with  a  highly  eulogistic  inscription,  is  placed 
behind  the  pulpit  in  the  Bethel  Church,  commemorating  the  devoted  life  of  this 
apostolic  man.  The  same  inscription  is  also  placed  on  a  cenotaph  in  the  Bethel 
Church's  lot  at  Woodlawn,  and,  also,  a  third  time,  over  the  actual  grave  at  Milford. 

After  a  year  of  temporary  supplies,  the  Rev.  Henry  A.  Cooke  succeeded  to 
the  pastorate  in  October,  1869,  in  which  he  has  remained  up  to  the  present  time, 
being  now  (1883),  the  oldest  clergyman  in  the  denomination  in  active  duties,  and 
also  the  longest  settled  in  one  charge. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Stowe  seemed,  for  the  time,  to  spread  a  dark  cloud  over 
the  enterprise  to  which  he  really  fell  a  martyr ;  but  the  cause  itself  was  greater 
than  any  man  ;  it  was  the  cause  of  God  and  humanity,  and  could  not  be  retarded 
by  his  remo\al.  The  deep  foundations  wOiich  he  had  laid,  through  long  years,  in 
prayer  and  self-sacrifice,  were  to  abide  as  a  memorial  of  his  great  heart. 

The  Bethel  Society  has  continued  its  career  uninterruptedly  to  the  present 
time   (1883),  and  never  has  it  been  more  prosperous  than  at  present  under  the 


THE  BAPTIST  BETHEL.  7  7 


unwearied  and  faithful  labors  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Cooke  and  his  estimable  wife.  In 
every  department,  under  the  general  supervison  of  the  society,  there  are  abundant 
signs  of  encouragement,  bidding  it  go  forward  in  its  work  of  benevolence,  which 
is  now  even  a  greater  necessity  than  it  was  forty  years  ago. 

The  paramount  claim  which  the  Bethel  Society  has  upon  the  active  sympathies 
of  the  denomination,  arises  from  its  immediate  relation  to  seamen — a  claim  which 
no  Christian  can  fail  to  acknowledge.  To  seamen  we  owe  the  mighty  debt 
involved  in  the  general  commission  of  the  Saviour ;  in  the  special  circumstances 
of  trial,  exposure,  and  temptation  which  pertain  to  their  hazardous  and  migratory 
calling :  and  in  the  benefits  to  commerce,  and  almost  every  department  of  our 
social  life,  which  accrue  to  us  from  their  privations  and  hardships.  To  this  sea- 
men's work,  the  Bethel  Society  is  specially  and  chiefly  consecrated. 

Moreover,  the  Bethel  Church  stands  almost  alone  in  the  north  part  of  the 
city  as  a  representative  of  the  Baptist  denomination,  and  the  Bethel  Society  is  the 
only  local  object  in  which  all  the  Baptist  churches  are  united,  by  their  several 
delegates.  ' 

The  church  has  a  membership  of  about  350,  among  whom  are  representa- 
tives of  all  nations.  Its  members,  also,  though  comprising  many  residents  of  the 
city,  are  scattered  over  the  whole  world ;  and  the  sun,  as  Mr.  Stowe  truly  said, 
never  sets  on  this  church.  The  seamen  who,  through  the  Bethel  ministrations, 
are  converted  and  turned  to  God,  and  received  into  fellowship  with  the  Bethel 
Church,  leaving  the  city  again  to  "  do  their  business  in  great  waters,"  carry  the 
gospel  banner,  and  the  Bethel  Church  membership,  throughout  the  globe  — to  Eng- 
land, France,  Spain,  China,  far-off  India,  and  Australia,  and  the  "  Isles  of  the  Sea." 
Of  a  sober  truth,  this  is  a  wide  scope  for  godly  influence,  bounded  only  by  the 
illimitable  sea,  and  the  circumference  of  the  "  great  globe  itself." 

The  members  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Bethel  Society  are  elected 
annually.  Several  have  served  on  the  Board  for  many  years,  and  have  rendered 
constant  aid  to  both  the  former  and  present  pastor.  The  following  are  the  names 
of  the  members  for  1 883  :  — 

First  Baptist,  Wm.  Fosdick,  Wm.  Beals ;  Warren  Avenue,  Geo.  L.  Norris,  P. 
F.  Folsom  ;  Clarendon  Street,  Abijah  Hall,  Matthew  Bolles  ;  Harvard  Street,  Wm. 
A.  Spooner,  R.  C.  Wallis  ;  Bowdoin  Square,  S.  A.  Wilbur,  A.  T.  Graves  ;  Union 
Temple,  A.  M.  Jamson,  L.  W.  Hazen  ;  South,  H.  P.  Hanson,  Henry  McCoy ; 
Fourth  Street,  Wm.  J.  English,  John  Browbill ;  Central  Square,  Jesse  Smith,  S.  T. 
Chase  ;  Trinity,  H.  Mayo,  S.  C.  Hopkins  ;  Dudley  Street,  Edward  F.  Mecuen,  G. 
H.  Newell  ;  Dearborn  Street,  Sam'l  A.  Howard,  Alfred  Naylor ;  Ruggles  Street, 
Joseph  Worthington,  Geo.  V.  Burr;  First  (Charlestown),  John  Linscott,  J.  H. 
Blanchard  ;  Bunker  Hill,  E.  G.  Byam,  G.  M.  Starbird ;  First  (Cambridge),  J.  M. 
S.  Williams,  R.  O.  Fuller ;  Old  Cambridge,  Wm.  H.  Brown,  T.  Watson  Merrill  j 


78  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

North  Avenue,  IX  D.  Haskell,  Jr.,  D.  H.  Hayward  ;  East  Cambridge,  J.  W.  Gard- 
ner, Geo.  H.  Howard;  First  (Chelsea),  John  Avery,  Sam'l  Reed  ;  Gary  Avenue, 
Charles  P.  Godfrey,  Vernon  A.  Field,  Thos.  Martin  ;  Jamaica  Plain,  S.  P.  Putnam, 
Wm.  C.  Cameron ;  Brookline,  Osavius  Verney,  R.  G.  F.  Candage ;  Perkins 
Street,  Samuel  Cutler,  T.  P.  Daniels  ;  \\'atertown,  Royal  Gilkey,  Chas.  F.  Jackson  ; 
Maiden,  G.  L.  Richards,  Chas.  Merrill ;  Newton  Centre,  Thos.  Nickerson,  J.  D. 
A.  Gross ;  Newton,  A.  B.  Marshall,  Eenj.  Lentell ;  Waltham,  E.  M.  Richard- 
son, Charles  P.  Bond  ;  Hyde  Park,  George  Nicies,  W.  P.  Stone ;  Melrose,  Thos. 
T.  Bailey,  G.  E.  Carr ;  Arlington,  Harrison  Swan,  Geo.  G.  Allen ;  Wallaston 
Heights,  J.  Sparrow,  J.  P.  Perry,  H.  Gannett;  Washington  Street  (Lynn),  G.  K. 
Pevear,  A.  F.  Smith  ;  Bethel,  A.  F.  Whittemore,  R.  Bowen,  R.  Holman,  N.  A. 
Fitch ;  Medford,  J.  P.  Abbott,  C.  H.  Clark,  T.  W.  Hamlin  ;  Stoughtou  Street,  W. 
I.  Tuckerman,  R.  B.  Walker ;  Charles  River,  W.  A.  Munroe,  C.  Homes. 

Ladies'  Bethel  Society.  —  Li  the  spring  of  1847  a  number  of  ladies  who 
had  become  interested  in  the  labors  of  Mr.  Stowe  among  seamen,  met  for  consul- 
tation as  to  the  best  method  of  aiding  him  in  his  work,  and  appointed  a  committee 
for  the  purpose  of  calling  a  meeting  of  all  ladies  interested  in  the  object,  looking 
toward  the  formation  of  a  society ;  and  a  week  later,  a  meeting  was  held  in  the 
committee-room  of  Bowdoin  Square  Church,  which  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  the  Boston  Ladies'  Bethel  Society.  The  society  was  incorporated  in  1855, 
and  by  means  of  various  "sales"  and  "festivals  "  added  several  thousand  dollars 
to  the  funds.  In  1864  $13,000  were  contributed  by  this  society  towards  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Bethel  Church.  As  in  many  other  enterprises  —  especially  in  those 
pertaining  to  the  Kingdom  of  God, —  the  era  of  woman's  work  has  proved  to  be 
the  era  of  true  efficiency.  The  movement  had  begun  before,  but  the  spring  and 
scintillation  were  never  put  into  the  work,  until  the  female  heart  was  enlisted. 

On  April  5,  1883,  the  38th  anniversary  of  the  Bethel  Society  was  celebrated  ; 
the  actual  organization  having  been  some  two  years  after  its  commencement.  The 
following  report  of  the  event  appeared  in  The  Watchman: 

On  Fast-Day  evening,  April  5th,  the  Bethel  held  its  38th  anniversary  at  the 
church  on  Hanover  street,  the  Hon.  J.  M.  S.  Williams,  so  long  President,  in  the 
chair.  The  gathering  in  the  evening  was  preceded  by  a  meeting  of  the  Ladies' 
Bethel  Circle,  presided  over  by  the  newly-chosen  President,  Mrs.  Robert  Newman. 
At  the  more  public  anniversary,  after  devotional  exercises,  the  report  of  the  treas- 
urer, Mr.  Nathan  A.  Fitch,  who  has  been  connected  with  the  society  for  a 
quarter  of  a. century,  was  presented  Deacon  Fitch,  who  is  also  Superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  School,  which  relation  he  has  held  over  twenty  years,  gave  an  inter- 
esting review  of  its  growth  from  forty-five  officers  and  scholars  to  nearly  200 
more  than  that  figure.  From  the  report  of  the  missionary,  Mr.  John  Welch,  it 
appears  that  61,930  persons  have  attended  the  services  at  the  Bethel   during  the 


THE  BAPTIST  BETHEL.  7  9 

past  year,  an  increase  of  173  over  the  previous  year.  Of  this  number,  21,080 
were  seamen ;  which,  also,  is  an  increase  over  the  former  year.  The  society  has 
given  away,  during  the  year,  300  portions  of  the  Word  of  God,  and  100  Testa- 
ments printed  in  foreign  languages,  principally  in  rhe  Swedish  language.  The 
reading-room  is  open  daily.  The  report  of  temperance  work  by  Mr.  Rufus  Hol- 
man  showed  that  the  work  had  been  carried  vigorously  forward  during  the  year, 
and  that  904  persons  had  signed  the  pledge.  The  Chaplain,  Rev.  Henry  A. 
Cooke,  gave  some  interesting  statistics  in  regard  to  the  establishing  of  the  Bethel 
and  its  attendant  societies.  The  temperance  organization  connected  with  the 
society  is  said  to  be  the  oldest  open  temperance  order  in  the  State.  The  Ladies' 
Bethel  Society  was  organized  in  1846,  and  the  Bethel  Church  in  1850,  and  during 
its  existence  600  persons  have  been  received  as  members,  either  by  the  hand  of 
fellowship,  or  by  letter.  About  300  have  been  received  during  the  present  pas- 
torate of  thirteen  and  a  half  years.  Mr.  Stowe  was  pastor  nearly  twenty  years. 
During  the  past  year,  sixteen  have  been  received  by  baptism  and  five  by  letter. 

The  following  hymn — by  the  author  of  the  national  hymn  "  America,"  Dr. 
S.  F,  Smith,  —  and  written  specially  for  this  anniversary  occasion,  was  sung : 

God  of  the  sea,  thy  mighty  power. 
Our  shield  and  hope  in  danger's  hour. 
Soothes  the  wild  winds  o'er  ocean's  breast, 
And  bids  the  tossing  billows  rest. 

God  of  the  land,  thy  loving  voice 
Allays  our  doubt  and  wakes  our  joys  ; 
All  glories.  Lord,  in  thee  combine, 
And  calm  and  storm  alike  are  thine. 

O  bless  the  wanderer  o'er  the  wave, 
And  make  him  know  thy  power  to  save; 
And  far  and  wide,  o'er  land  and  main. 
Maintain  the  scepter  of  thy  reign. 

The  absence  of  the  chaplain's  estimable  wife  from  this  anniversary  was  felt 
by  all,  and  the  tender  reference  to  her  and  her  family  were  warmly  responded  to 
by  the  congregation,  which  had  in  it  representatives  from  a  score  of  churches. 
Mrs.  Cooke,  as  the  wife  of  both  pastors  of  the  Bethel  Church,  has  been  intimately 
associated  with  the  Bethel  cause  for  more  than  thirty  years.  The  work  of  the 
Bethel  is  now  receiving  a  fresh  impulse  from  the  efforts  of  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist Social  Union,  who  are  about  to  supply  the  pastor  with  an  assistant  in  his  work. 
The  church  and  reading-room  are  always  open  and  accessible  to  strangers.  A 
prayer  meeting  is  also  held  every  week  day  at  3  p.  m. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Henry  A.  Cooke  ;  Deacons  :  Alfred 
Whittemore,  Nathan  A.  Fitch,  Romeo  Bowen,  Wm.  E.  Dennis,  George  Dority ; 
Clerk  :  R.  Holman  ;  Treasurer  :  Alfred  Whittemore  ;  Sunday  School  Superinten- 
dent ;  Nathan  A.  Fitch. 


8  0  CHURCHES    OP   BOSTON. 


The  Dearborn  Street  Baptist  Church, 

Dearborn  Street. 

This  church  is  the  outgrowth  of  a  desire  to  care  for  the  religiously  destitute 
population  in  the  vicinity  of  Roxbury  Point.  In  the  year  1847,  Gustavus  F. 
Delesdernier,  and  a  few  other  members  of  the  Dudley  Street  Baptist  Church, 
impressed  with  the  need  of  evangelical  Christian  labor  in  that  portion  of  the  com- 
munity, commenced  a  Sunday  School  and  prayer  meeting  in  Williams  Hall,  at  the 
junction  of  Albany  and  Hampden  streets. 

Until  the  year  1858,  this  mission,  although  aided  and  encouraged  by  the 
Dudley  Street  Baptist  Church,  had  never  been  officially  recognized  b>  it  as  a  body, 
but  in  that  year  a  mission  committee  was  appointed  by  the  church,  and  the  super- 
vision of  this  field  was  entrusted  to  their  care.  During  the  succeeding  year  Cyrus 
A.  Carlton,  and  other  students  at  the  Newton  Theological  Institution,  were  partly 
engaged  to  visit  the  families  in  the  neighborhood. 

About  the  year  1859,  Deacon  Nath'l  O.  Hart  was  chosen  Superintendent  of 
the  Sunday  School,  and  held  that  office  till  1863.  Upon  his  resignation  Joseph  G. 
Shed  was  elected,  and  served  in  that  position  until  January,  18S3,  when  he 
declined  a  re-election. 

In  April,  1867,  a  lot  of  land  on  Dearborn  street  was  purchased,  and  the  pro- 
ject of  building  a  chapel  was  undertaken.  On  November  8th  following,  the 
completed  building  was  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God.  A  Sunday  and  week- 
day service  were  thereafter  maintained.  In  January,  1869,  Edward  W.  Pride  was 
engaged  to  labor  as  a  missionary  in  the  field,  and  was  ordained  to  the  gospel 
ministry  in  June.  Two  years  later  this  force  of  Christian  workers  seemed  ready 
to  crystallize  into  a  church.  At  a  meeting  held  January  31,  1871,  fifty-one  mem- 
bers from  the  Dudley  Street,  Stoughton  Street,  Union  Temple,  Harvard  Street  and 
Charles  Street  Churches  signified  their  willingness  to  form  such  a  body.  Accord- 
ingly they  organized  themselves  into  the  "  Dearborn  Street  Baptist  Church,"  and 
on  March  23,  were  recognized  by  neighboring  sister  churches.  Nath'l  O.  Hart 
and  Robt.  W.  Ames  were  chosen  deacons,  and  Rev.  Edward  W.  Pride  was  elected 
pastor.  Of  the  constituent  members,  a  majority  were  from  the  Dudley  Street 
Baptist  Church,  which  had  supplied  the  strength  of  the  mission  for  many  years. 


The  Dearborn  Street  Baptist  Church  was  founded  upon  the  principle  of  the 
Gospel  to  give  to  him  that  hath  need.  It  has  since  proceeded  with  this  purpose, 
independently,  and  in  the  face  of  every  discouragement.  It  owes  much  to  the 
labors  of  its  first  pastor,  the  Rev.  Edward  W.  Pride,  and  his  wife,  who  was  the 
oldest  daughter  of  Deacon  Nath'l  O.  Hart.  The  noble  character  of  Deacon 
Hart,  and  his  great  personal  power  and  devotion  to  this  particular  cause,  have 
rendered  his  memory  imperishable  in  this  church. 

Mr.  Pride's  pastorate  terminated  by  resignation,  April  7,  1878.  The  follow- 
ing month  the  church  called  the  Rev.  Charles  A.  Reese  to  the  pastorate,  which  he 
still  retains.     He  was  ordained  and  installed  on  June  20th,  of  the  same  year. 

At  the  formation  of  the  church,  Mrs.  Robt.  W.  Ames  donated  a  communion 
service,  and  in  June,  1882,  the  trustees  of  the  Charles  Street  Church  presented 
the  communion  service  of  that  memorable  old  church  to  this  new  one.  It  con- 
sists of  fourteen  handsome  pieces  and  has  an  es])ecially  sacred  character  in 
the  eyes  of  its  present  possessors,  from  its  association  with  those  godly  men  who 
so  long  used  it  in  the  service  of  that  hallowed  parent  church. 

Church  Officers — Pastor:  Rev.  C.  A.  Reese;  Deacons:  Joseph  G. 
Shed,  Herbert  H.  W.  Edmands,  Peter  S.  Houston  ;  Clerk  :  H.  H.  W.  Edmands ; 
Sunday  School  Superintendent :  Watson  A.  Dakin. 


The  First  German  Baptist  Church, 

Vernon  Street,  Corner  of  Cabot. 


The  First  German  Baptist  Church  was  organized  in  1879,  and  recognized  as 
a  Baptist  church  by  a  council  of  churches  in  October  of  that  year.  It  then  num- 
bered sixteen  members,  and  worshiped  in  a  small  room  on  Tremont  street. 

In  December,  1880,  the  church  dedicated  its  first  meeting-house.  It  is  a 
frame  building  on  Vernon  street,  near  Cabot  street,  with  a  seating  capacity  of  300. 
The  membership  now  is  70.  Its  Sunday  School  has  80  scholars.  The  church 
called  to  its  pastorate  at  its  organization,  the  Rev.  F.  A.  Licht,  a  graduate  of 
Rochester  Theological  Seminary,  who  still  remains  at  the  head  of  this  little  band 
of  believers. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  F.  A.  Licht  ;  Deacons  :  H.  Grohe,  G.  Uzinger  ; 
Clerk  :  F.  Trasch  ;  Treasurer  :  H.  Grohe ;  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School : 
F.  A.  Licht. 


CHURCHES   OF    BOSTON. 


The  Fourth  Street  Baptist  Church, 

Fourth   Street,  Cor.  L  Street,  South  Boston. 


About  the  year  1S53  some  of  the  members  of  the  South  Baptist  Church  and 
others,  noting  the  rapidly  increasing  population  at  City  Point,  attempted  to  gather 
into  a  Sabbath  school  in  some  suitable  place,  the  many  children  who  idly  roamed 
the  streets  on  the  Lord's  Day. 

But  as  no  convenient  room  or  hall  of  sufficient  size  could  be  found,  it  was 
resolved  to  erect  a  small  chapel,  providing  sufficient  funds  could  be  obtained,  and 
to  this  end  a  number  of  meetings  were  held  by  those  favorable  to  the  movement ; 
and  at  one  of  these  meetings  a  paper  was  presented  for  signatures  of  those  who 
would  pledge  themselves  to  pecuniary  assistance  to  aid  in  carrying  out  this  project. 

The  result  of  this  movement  was  very  gratifying,  for,  in  the  space  of  two  or 
three  months,  the  sum  of  ^2,200  had  been  subscribed,  of  which,  $830  were  given 
by  members  of  the  South  Baptist  Church. 

Thus  encouraged,  the  friends  interested  in  the  undertaking  obtained  from  the 
city  authorities  a  lot  of  land,  100  by  125  feet,  at  the  corner  of  Fourth  and  L 
Streets,  where  the  church  now  stands.  The  lot  was  obtained  on  bond,  pur- 
chasable within  ten  years,  for  the  sum  of  $1,000,  to  be  held  in  Trust  for  religious 
purposes  only,  and  at  a  rent  of  $45  per  annum  until  the  completion  of  the  pur- 
chase, for  the  sum  and  within  the  time  above  stated. 

Without  further  delay  a  neat  and  commodious  chapel  was  erected,  and  on 
August  6th,  1854,  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  services. 

On  the  Sabbath  following  the  dedication  of  the  chapel,  the  Sunday  school 
held  its  first  session,  at  which  there  were  present  thirty-three  scholars  and  ten 
teachers. 

The  school  gradually  increased,  and  great  encouragement  was  felt  by  the 
movers  in  the  enterprise.  Preaching  was  maintained  every  Sabbath  evening  for 
about  one  year  by  the  pastors  of  Boston  and  \icinity,  who  kindly  proffered  their 
services,  and  some  months  after  the  formation  of  the  Sabbath  school,  a  weekly 
prayer  meeting  was  established. 


THE  FOURTH  STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  8  3 

About  this  time  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wightman,  then  a  student  at  the  Newton 
Theological  Institution,  was  invited  to  preach  on  Sabbath  evenings,  which  he  did 
for  about  a  year,  after  which,  for  the  space  of  three  months,  no  regular  preaching 
was  enjoyed. 

In  November,  1856,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Howard  was  invited  to  act  as  colporteur 
in  connection  with  the  Sabbath  school,  and  his  labors,  which  extended  over  a 
]jeriod  of  six  months,  were  very  successful,  many  children  being  gathered  into  the 
school  through  his  instrumentality.  The  expense  of  his  support  was  partly  borne 
by  the  American  Bible  Society. 

At  the  close  of  Mr.  Howard's  labors,  which  occurred  in  June,  1857,  preach- 
ing was  again  partially  discontinued,  and  the  attendance  at  the  Sabbath  school 
declined  in  consequence. 

Shortly  afterwards,  the  doors  of  the  chapel  were  closed  against  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel ;  the  South  Baptist  Church  having  voted  to  accept  the  report  of  the 
committee  recommending  this  course,  unless  the  people  in  the  neighborhood 
were  willing  to  bear  their  proportion  of  the  expense  necessary  for  the  maintenance 
of  Divine  worship. 

The  aspect  of  things  continued  thus  gloomy  until  November,  1S57,  when,  by 
vote  of  the  church,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Filts  was  engaged  to  preach  for  the  remainder 
of  the  year.  At  the  end  of  this  term,  the  Rev.  Samuel  Davies  was  called  to  con- 
duct regular  Divine  services. 

Having  accepted  the  invitation,  he  began  his  work  on  the  ist  of  January, 
1858. 

This  effort  was  attended  with  unlooked-for  success  ;  the  preaching  was 
blessed  to  the  conversion  of  some,  and  to  the  spiritual  quickening  of  many,  and 
among  the  people  the  conviction  was  deepened  that  the  time  was  ripe  for  the 
formation  of  a  church  in  their  midst. 

Twenty-five  (25)  members  of  various  churches  were  dismissed  to  form  this 
one,  and  on  Wednesday,  the  21st  of  April,  1858,  in  accordance  with  vote  of 
council  on  the  14th  of  the  same  month,  the  friends  gathered  at  the  chapel,  and 
the  union  of  the  brethren  was  duly  recognized  as  a  regularly  constituted  Baptist 
Church. 

The  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davies  continued  until  January,  i860,  and  in 
October  of  that  year  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Stowell,  of  Seekonk,  R.  I.,  received  the  call 
of  the  church  to  become  its  pastor,  which  having  accepted,  he  was  settled  as 
pastor  in  December,  i860,  and  continued  with  them  until  March,  1862. 

During  the  month  of  June,  1862,  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Lecompt  preached  three 
times  for  them  so  acceptably,  that  a  call  was  immediately  extended  to  him,  and 
on  August  ist,  1862,  he  began  his  labors  in  this  field,  the  church  membership  at 
that  time  being  seventy-three. 


84  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

The  Sabbath  school  had  now  increased  from  the  orighial  thirty-three,  to 
upwards  of  200  scholars. 

Under  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Lecompt  the  congregations  rapidly  increased, 
tintil  the  chapel  was  found  to  be  too  small  to  accommodate  those  who  attended, 
and  the  society  engaged  themsel\-es  in  the  raising  of  funds  for  the  erection  of  a 
larger  house  of  worship,  the  building  of  which  was  commenced  in  the  fall  of 
1864,  and  the  year  1865  saw  the  fruition  of  their  exertions  in  the  form  of  a  com- 
modious and  beautiful  church,  within  whose  walls  —  during  now  (1883)  nearly 
20  years  —  many  souls  have  been  born  into  the  Kingdom. 

The  dedication  of  the  new  church  edifice  took  place  on  Thursday  evening, 
February  2d,  1865. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Lecompt  ended  his  labors  in  this  field,  on  December  31st, 
1868,  after  a  very  successful  pastorate  of  over  six  years. 

On  the  19th  of  September,  1869,  the  Rev.  Evan  Lewis  was  settled  as  pastor, 
but  remained  only  about  two  years,  and  on  the  ist  of  January,  1872,  the  Rev. 
Andrew  Pollard,  D.  D.,  became  the  pastor,  and  labored  efficiently  in  the  winning 
of  souls,  after  which,  for  some  six. months,  the  church  remained  without  a  pastor. 
The  Rev.  L.  L.  Wood  next  received  a  call,  and  began  on  December  6th,  1S74,  a 
pastorate  that  extended  over  a  period  of  about  five  years. 

The  pastorate  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wood  closed  in  June,  1879,  and  after  an 
interval  of  almost  a  year,  the  present  pastor,  Rev.  Charles  H.  Spalding,  then  at 
Arlington,  accepted  the  unanimous  call  of  the  church,  and  became  its  pastor  on 
the  2d  of  May,  1880. 

The  labors  of  the  present  pastor  have  been  greatly  blessed  in  this  vineyard, 
and  it  is  hoped  that  he  may  long  continue  his  labors  here. 

At  the  present  time  (1883),  the  material  prosperity  of  the  church  is  a  matter 
for  congratulation.  The  mortgage  on  the  property  has  been  reduced  by  $2,000, 
leaving  now  an  incumbrance  of  only  $6,000,  which,  it  is  hoped,  may  soon  be 
entirely  wiped  out. 

The  Sabbath  school,  under  the  able  management  of  Mr.  John  A.  Burgess,  }s 
in  a  most  prosperous  condition,  the  membership  at  present  being  over  500.  The 
present  membership  of  the  church  is  about  260. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor  :  Rev.  Charles  H.  Spalding  ;  Deacons  :  Timothy 
Wheater,  Sylvester  Hinckley,  D.  D.  Alexander,  Henry  Andrews,  Jr. ;  Clerk:  H. 
A.  Burgess  ;  Treasurer  :  D,  D.  Alexander  ;  Trustees  :  Rev.  Andrew  Pollard,  D.  D., 
Timothy  Wheater,  Henry  Andrews,  Jr.,  William  J.  English,  Frank  J.  Tuttle. 


THE    STOUGHTON  STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  85 


The  Stoughton  Street  Baptist  Church, 


Stoughton  Street,  Dorchester. 


The  records  concering  the  eariiest  movements  of  public  Christian  hfe  in  this 
out-lying  district  of  Boston  are  very  meagre.  From  the  reminiscences  of  some 
of  the  older  members,  an  account  of  the  first  steps  has  been  obtained. 

The  first  inception  of  an  evangelical  interest  in  this  locality  is  traced,  to  the 
efforts  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  David  Clapp,  who  were  members  of  the  church  over 
which  the  Rev.  Dr.  Codman  was  pastor.  Prayer  meetings,  and  occasionally 
preaching  services,  were  held  at  Mr.  Clapp's  house,  Dr.  Codman  usually  presid- 
ing. After  awhile,  the  labors  of  this  pious  family  were  supplemented  by  those  of 
Miss  Sarah  Baker,  of  Savin  Hill.  This  lady  also  succeeded  in  organizing  a  prayer 
meeting  in  the  old  school-house  which  stood  near  the  site  of  the  engine  house  on 
Boston  street.  The  result  of  these  persistent  labors  was,  finally,  the  establish- 
ment of  Sabbath  services  at  Union  Hall,  now  a  dwelling  house,  on  Dudley  street. 
This  was  a  union  movement  made  by  Orthodox  Congregationalists,  Methodists, 
and  Baptists  conjointly,  and  lasted  for  about  a  year. 

Finally  a  meeting  was  held  on  May  3,  1845,  to  consider  the  subject  of  the 
proposed  organization  of  a  Gospel  Church,  according  to  the  denominational 
views  of  the  majority  of  those  interested.  A  committee  of  three  —  Messrs. 
Shailer,  Coburn,  and  Davis  —  was  appointed  to  confer  with  the  brethren  in  the 
vicinity ;  and  this  committee  shortly  afterwards  reported  that  the  majorit)'  were 
Baptists  ;  and  that  accordingly  it  seemed  best  to  organize  a  Baptist  church. 

Several  preliminary  meetings  were  held  during  the  summer  of  1845,  at  which 
Articles  of  Faith  and  a  Church  Covenant  were  adopted,  and  a  call  to  the  pastor- 
ate was  given  to,  and  accepted  by,  the  Rev.  D.  T.  Shailer. 

On  the  15th  of  September  a  council  of  the  churches  met  to  consider  the 
recognition  of  the  church  by  the  denomination.  The  council  voted  unanimously 
to  recognize  the  church  under  the  name  of  the  North  Dorchester  Baptist  Church, 
and  services  of  recognition  were  held  in  Union  Hall,  on  Sabbath  evening,  the  23d 
of  September,  1845,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Caldicott  preaching  the  sermon.  The  number 
of  original  members  was  sixteen. 

On  the  day  of  the  meeting  above  mentioned,  ground  was  broken  for  the 
erection  of  a  new  church  building,   but  about  two  years  passed  before  it  was 


8  6  CHURCHES    OF   BOSTON. 

completed  and  dedicated.  The  usual  dedicatory  services  finally  took  place  in 
March,   1S47. 

In  June  of  this  year  the  Rev.  D.  T.  Shailer  resigned  the  pastorate.  Under 
his  ministrations  nine  members  were  added  by  letter  and  five  by  baptism.  A 
vacancy  then  ensued  of  some  months,  during  which  four  were  added  to  the 
church  by  letter. 

In  March,  1848,  the  Rev.  F.  G.  Brown  became  the  pastor,  and  remained 
until  April,  1850,  when  he  resigned.  His  pastorate,  though  short,  was  successful, 
and  the  church  parted  from  him  with  great  regret.  He  went  from  this  church  to 
that  at  \Vest  Townsend.  During  Mr.  Brown's  pastorate,  and  tlie  interval  which 
followed,  eleven  jiersons  were  joined  to  the  church. 

The  Rev.  James  W.  Lathrop  received  and  accepted  a  call  in  January,  1S51. 
Shortly  afterwards  the  church  elected  its  first  Deacons,  who  were  Messrs.  Caleb 
Coburn,  Jacob  Davis,  and  George  Ellis.  Within  two  weeks  afterwards  Deacon 
Coburn  died,  at  the  age  of  62.  This  pastorate  extended  over  a  period  of  more 
than  five  years,  and  was  a  prosperous  and  successful  one.  The  additions  during 
this  time  and  the  next  interval  were  b\-  letter,  seven  ;  by  experience,  two  ;  and  1)\' 
baptism,  thirteen. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  Henry  F.  Lane,  who  was  installed  on  July  S, 
1S5  7,  and  continued  until  the  end  of  1S59.  Under  his  leadersliip  tliirty-three 
members  joined  the  body. 

During  this  pastorate  the  financial  condition  of  the  churcli  and  society 
became  so  urgent  as  to  force  itself  on  the  attention  of  the  officers  and  members. 
The  indebtedness  had  been  increasing  for  several  years,  and  an  effort  was  greatly 
needed  for  relief.  Under  the  stimulating  words  and  example  of  the  pastor,  the  con- 
gregation rallied  for  this  purpose,  and  succeeded,  by  June,  i860,  in  raising  the 
required  amount,  and  thus  freeing  the  church  from  the  incubus  of  debt. 

Four  pastorates  succeeded  that  of  Mr.  Lane,  viz.  :  The  Re\-.  ]'.  H.  Steenstra. 
who  became  pastor  in  July,  i860,  and  left  in  October,  1863;  the  Rev.  D.  M. 
Crane,  who  was  settled  in  April,  1864,  and  resigned  in  March,  1866;  tlie  Rev. 
Charles  H.  Rowe,  setded  in  August,  1S66.  and  resigned  in  March,  1871  ;  and  the 
Rev.  M.  Angelo  Dougherty,  who  assumed  the  charge  in  July,  1872,  and  resigned 
in  September,  1877. 

In  the  spring  of  1869,  the  number  of  active  members  was  sevent\-seven.  In 
April,  1870,  it  was  voted  by  the  church,  at  a  quarterly  meeting,  that,  "whereas 
the  town  of  Dorchester  has  been  annexed  to  the  city  of  Boston,  this  church  take 
the  name  of  'The  Stoughton  Street  Baptist  Church.'  " 

In  April,  1873,  the  church  was  presented  with  a  baptistry  by  some  of  its 
members,  and  thereafter  the  baptismal  services  took  place  in  the  church  building. 
Previously,  all  the  baptisms  of  this  church  had  been  performed  in  the  open  air  at 


THE   STOUGHTON   STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  87 

Savin  Hill.  In  the  early  days  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Boston,  it  was  usual  to 
baptize  out  of  doors  in  some  of  the  surrounding  water,  very  few  of  the  churches' 
having  baptistries.  The  practice  was  necessitated  by  the  want  of  means  of  the 
younger  churches,  but  was  open  to  many  objections,  and,  gradually,  as  the 
churches  grew  in  wealth  and  number  of  members,  dropped  into  desuetude. 

On  October  30,  1878,  the  church  building  was  entirely  destroyed  by  fire.  It 
was  supposed  to  be  an  act  of  incendiarism.  It  was,  however,  very  quickly 
rebuilt ;  being  again  restored,  and  the  services  of  re-dedication  were  held  on  July 
16,  1879,  The  cost  of  the  new  building  was  ;>9,ooo.  The  seating  capacity 
is  400. 

In  December  of  the  same  year —  1S79,  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Albert 
T.  Dunn,  was  installed,  and  continues  in  the  office  to  the  present  time  (1883). 
The  church  has  entirely  recovered  from  its  adverse  experiences,  and  is  enjoying  a 
season  of  calm  prosperity.  The  present  pastor's  ministrations  are  effective  and 
successful.      The  present  membership  is   240. 

The  history  of  the  Sunday  School  is  contemporaneous  with  that  of  the 
church.  Deacon  George  Ellis  was  its  superintendent,  for  a  period  of  20  years. 
The  present  officers  are  as  follows  : — Superintendent :  R.  B.  Walker ;  Assistant 
Superintendent :  John  L.  Bird  ;  Secretary  :  E.  P.  Upham  ;  Assistant  Secretary  : 
W.  E.  Mylod ;  Treasurer  :  S.  B.  Handren  ;  Librarian  :  H.  F.  Bryant ;  Assistant 
Librarian:    George  B.  Smith.     Its  membership.  May  i,  1883,  is  475. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Albert  T.  Dunn  ;  Deacons  :  George 
Ellis,  Alfred  Haskell,  James  Richardson,  William  A.  Holland,  William  Roberts ; 
Sunday  School  Superintendent :  R.  B.  ^^'alker ;  Clerk  :  H.  F.  Holland ;  Treas- 
urer :  H.  P.  Bailey ;  Collector  :  H.  H.  Leonard. 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Roslindale  Baptist  Church. 


In  May,  1S73,  the  Jamaica  Plain  Baptist  Churcli,  from  wliich  six  of  the  mem- 
bers of  this  church  came,  chose  a  committee  to  inquire  as  to  the  expediency  of 
commencing  Baptist  ser\'ices  in  RosHndale,  and  by  their  recommendation  services 
were  begun  on  June  ist  in  the  Florence  school-house. 

A  church  was  regularly  formed,  with  thirteen  members,  on  March  13th,  and 
publicly  recognized  April  8,  1875,  under  the  name  of  the  Roslindale  Baptist 
Church.  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith  preached,  as  a  supply,  for  considerable  time,  and  the 
Rev.  G.  W.  Thomas  was  chosen  pastor  June  7,  1S79.  Mr.  Thomas  resigned 
April  14,  1 88 1. 

The  Rev.  W.  F.  Armstrong  was  called  August  12,  iSSi,  and  resigned  March 
9,  1882,  having  received  a  call  to  labor  in  Providence,  R.  I.  Mr.  W.  A. 
McKillop,  a  student  in  Newton  Theological  Institution,  was  then  engaged  for  one 
year,  and  commenced  his  labors  on  the  first  Sunday  in  October,  1882.  Thirty- 
four  members  have  been  added  by  baptism,  and  twenty-four  by  letter  and 
experience.  Seven  have  been  dismissed  by  letter  and  three  have  died.  Tiie 
church  now  worships  in  Assocftition  Hall,  on  South  street,  and  a  lot  has  been  pur- 
chased on  which  to  build  a  new  churche-difice.  The  present  membership  is  69. 
The  Sunday   School  numbers   167,  with  an  average  attendance  of  about  100. 

Church  Officers:  —  Pastor:  The  Rev.  W.  A.  McKillop;  Clerk:  John 
Weld ;  Treasurer  :  J.  A.  Charlton  ;  Executive  Committee  :  W.  H.  McKenzie, 
B.  F.  Pike,  J.  W.  Tappan. 


-^* 


THE   DUDLEY  STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


89 


The  Dudley  Street  Baptist  Church, 


137  Dudley  Street,   Roxbury. 


The  history  of  this  suburban  church  is  but  a  variation  of  that  of  many  of  its 
older  sister  churches,  placed  nearer  the  heart  of  the  city.  A  small  Sabbath  school, 
prayer  meetings  held  irregularly  in  the  private  houses  of  Christian  men,  gradually 
developed  into  preaching  services  in  an  unpretentious  and  primitive  hall ;  from 
which,  by  slow  and  tedious   gradations,   encompassed  by  no  few  or  small  dis- 


&  5  ayis  V««"t«^^ 


THE    UbULliV    STREET   BAPTIST  CHURCH,    ROXBURY 

couragements,  the  advance  is  finally  made  to  a  fully  organized  Christian  church, 
with  regular  and  fully  appointed  services,  held  in  a  suitable  ecclesiastical  edifice. 

The  origin  of  the  Dudley  Street  Church  is  traced  back  to  the  year  181 7. 
At  that  time,  even  this,  the  most  thickly  settled  portion  of  the  town  of  Roxbury, 
had  but  a  small  population,  and  but  one  religious  society,  worshiping  in  the  old 
meeting-house  on  the  hill.  Of  this  society,  the  Rev.  Dr.-  Porter  had  then  been 
paster  for  thirty-five  years,  having  been  settled  in  i  782.  The  neighbouring  country 
presented  the  same  diversified  appearance  as  now,  with  the  same  "  remarkable 


alternation  of  hills  and  hollows,"  but  with  none  of  the  beautiful  private  residences 
and  broad  avenues  leading  to  them,  which  are  now  seen  everywhere.  Stony 
Brook,  whose  course  cannot  now  be  so  easily  traced,  and  which  was  soon  to 
become  a  Jordan  to  many  a  happy  disciple  of  Jesus,  pursued  its  open  way. 
Boston  had  not  then  become  a  city,  and  contained  not  more  than  forty  thousand 
inhabitants.  It  was  fully  two  miles  and  a  half  away  ;  and  the  one  road  to  it  was 
over  a  bleak,  uninhabited,  and,  as  was  then  supposed,  almost  uninhabitable,  neck 
of  land.  At  that  time,  Boston  had  four  Baptist  churches  all  told  ;  the  First 
Church,  of  which  'the  beloved  \Vinchell  '  was  pastor,  though  he  passed  to  an  early 
grave  the  year  before  this  church  was  constituted  ;  the  Second  Church,  of  which 
Dr.  Baldwin  was  still  pastor,  at  the  mature  age  of  sixty-four ;  the  Third  Church, 
afterwards  known  as  the  '•  Charles-street,"  where  the  Rev.  Mr.  Sharp,  (he  had  not 
then  attained  unto  the  dignity  of'  Dr."  Sharp,)  was  gaining  a  wide  reputation  as  a 
preacher  of  the  gospel ;  and  a   colored  church,  now  called  the  "  Independent." 

This  was  the  year  1S17.  In  the  autumn  of  this  year,  Mr.  Beza  Tucker,  a 
member  of  the  Old  South  Society  in  Boston,  but  not  a  member  of  the  church, 
being  a  resident  of  Rovbury,  opened  his  house  on  Sabbath  evenings  for  preach- 
ing. This  house  is  still  standing,  and  is  situated  on  Shawmut  Avenue,  a  few  rods 
only  from  the  church.  It  is  well  known  as  the  Governor  Sumner  house  ;  Increase 
Sumner,  who  was  governor  of  Massachusetts  in  i  797-1  799.  having  spent  the  last 
twenty  years  of  his  life  in  it.  Among  those  whose  services  were  secured  to  preach 
in  that  place  was  Mr.  Ensign  Lincoln,  a  member  of  Mr.  Sharp's  church,  a 
printer  by  trade,  who  had  been  licensed  as  a  preacher,  but  was  ne\'er  ordained 
and  settled  as  a  pastor.  He  was  in  the  habit,  for  iiiany  years,  of  riding  out  from 
Boston  to  neighboring  villages  to  preach  on  Sunday  where  his  services  were 
required. 

These  meetings  were  continued  till  the  spring  of  181 8,  when  Mr.  Tucker 
secured  the  use  of  a  large  room  in  a  building  owned  by  Deacon  Samuel  Sumner, 
and  converted  it  into  a  hall  for  preaching  and  religious  meetings.  On  account  of 
the  manner  in  which  the  hall  was  fitted  up,  it  was  called  familiarly,  and,  perhaps 
contemptuously,  "  The  AVhite-wash."  Here  religious  serviceswere  held  for  several 
months  ;  the  Rev.  James  Sabine,  pastor  of  the  Essex  Street  Congregational  Church, 
officiated  most  frequently. 

This  religious  movement  was  at  first  begun,  and  carried  on  by  Congrega- 
tionalists.  In  consequence,  however,  of  the  difficulty  of  obtaining  Congre- 
gationalist  clergymen  to  preach  in  this  section,  owing  to  the  rigid  observance  of 
parish  lines,  and  the  supposed  impropriety  at  that  time  of  crossing  them  ;  the 
enterprise  was  handed  over  to  the  Baptists,  who  were  then  few  in  number,  and 
feeble  in  resources  ;  a  condition  which  was  common  to  many  religious  communities 
in  those  days. 


THE   DUD  LET  STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH. 


91 


111  the  beginning  of  1819,  Rev.  Stephen  Chapin,  who  had  just  been  led  to 
accept  Baptist  sentiments,  was  engaged  by  Mr.  Lincohi  to  preach  in  the  hall  for 
three  months.  Mr.  Lincoln  himself  supplied  the  desk  during  the  remainder  of 
the  year.  In  the  spring  or  early  summer,  a  Sabbath  school  was  gathered  in  tlie 
brick  building  adjoining  the  hall ;  and  Jacob  Frieze  was  elected  its  first  superin- 
tendent. The  labors  of  the  year  were  attended  by  the  converting  power  of 
(iod's  Spirit;  and  (]uite  a  number  were  brought  to  acknowledge  their  sinfulness, 
and  need  of  divine  forgiveness,  and  to  trust  in  Him  who  gave  his  life  a  ransom 
for  many. 

The  subject  of  building  a  house  of  worship  had  been  frequently  agitated;  but 
no  active  measures  were  undertaken  until  near  the  close  of  1819.  Three  thousand 
dollars  having  been  first  subscribed,  at  a  meeting  held  October  7,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  purchase  a  suitable  lot  of  land,  and  superintend  the  erection  of 
the  building.  This  committee  consisted  of  John  Heath,  William  Wyman,  Jr., 
Antipas  Jackson,  and  Edward  Humphris.  John  Heath,  who  was  a  Congregation- 
alist,  was  appointed  treasurer,  and  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  society  in  this 
office  for  several  years.  To  this  committee,  Samuel  Langley,  Heman  Lincoln  of 
Boston,  and  Elijah  Corey  of  Brookline,  were  afterward  added.  Again,  it  was 
increased  by  the  addition  of  Beza  Tucker,  John  Haynes,  Ward  Jackson  of  Boston, 
Levi  Farwell  of  Cambridge,  Timothy  Corey  of  Brookline,  and  Josiah  Coolidge  of 
Watertown.  The  work  of  raising  funds  was  pushed  forward,  the  brethren  from 
Brookline  and  other  places  rendering  much  help  ;  and,  before  the  winter  was 
o\er,  the  sum  of  seven  thousand  dollars  had  been  subscribed.  Of  this  sum,  Mr. 
Tucker,  who  had  cheerfully  at  the  first  thrown  open  his  house  for  the  preaching 
of  the  gosjjel,  and  whose  interest  in  the  movement  seemed  only  to  increase  with 
his  declining  health,  gave  a  thousand  dollars.  Never  can  the  members  of  this 
church  forget  their  great  indebtedness  to  Mr,  Tucker,  and  men  of  kindred  spirit, 
who,  though  not  in  all  respects  of  this  faith,  contributed  so  generously  to  lay  here 
the  foundations  of  a  Baptist  church.  Others  wished  well  to  the  enterprise, 
although  much  opposition  came  from  the  baser  sort,  as  might  well  be  expected, 
in  a  place  where  morality  was  at  a  low  ebb,  and  darkness  had  long  reigned. 

The  lot  of  ground  first  purchased  was  that  on  which  the  Universalist  house 
of  worship  now  stands.  But  the  present  lot  being  deemed  in  some  respects  more 
desirable,  the  former  lot  was  surrendered,  and  this  one  was  purchased  of  Deacon 
Munroe.  On  the  loth  of  May,  1820,  the  building  was  raised;  and  on  that  same 
day  the  remains  of  Mr.  Tucker,  the  early  and  generous-hearted  friend  of  this 
society,  were  carried  to  the  grave.  The  house  of  worship  was  built  according  to 
agreement,  by  Samuel  Langley  and  Edward  Humphris,  and  was  publicly  set  apart 
to  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,  and  to  the  worship  of  God,  the  Father,  the  Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost,  on  Wednesday,  Nov.  i,  1820. 


92  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

During  the  months  of  January  and  February,  1821,  several  meetings  were 
held  in  the  small  chapel  which  joined  the  sanctuary,  with  reference  to  the  forma- 
tion of  a  Baptist  church.  Having  also  sought  counsel  of  Christian  friends,  at  a 
meeting  held  in  the  evening  of  the  second  day  of  March,  the  brethren  and  sisters 
present  voted  to  "  associate  as  a  church  in  this  place,  by  the  name  of  '  The  Baptist 
Church  in  Roxbury ;' "  and  at  an  adjourned  meeting,  held  March  9,  1S21,  this 
vote  was  carried  into  effect  by  the  unanimous  adoption  of  a  solemn  covenant  and 
declaration  of  faith.  The  name  was  changed  to  "  The  Dudley  Street  Baptist 
Church,  Roxbury,"  February  28,  1850.  Roxbury  became  a  city  in  1846,  and 
was  annexed  to  Boston,  January,  1868. 

At  the  time  of  its  organization,  the  Dudley  Street  Baptist  Church  was  the 
only  evangelical  church  within  the  limits  of  the  town  ;  and  while  this  continued 
to  be  the  case  many  members  of  other  sects  worshiped  in  this  church. 

On  Wednesday,  the  14th  of  March,  by  invitation  of  the  church,  a  council  of 
pastors  and  delegates  from  neighboring  Baptist  churches  met  at  the  house  of  Mr. 
Antipas  Jackson,  whose  wife  was  a  member  of  the  church,  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  recognizing  this  body  of  disciples  as  a  Christian  church,  and  giving 
to  it  the  fellowship  of  neighboring  bodies  of  like  faith.  Councils  for  such  an 
object  were  not  so  common  in  those  days  as  they  have  been  since  ;  and  that 
council  appears  no  ordinary  one,  both  on  account  of  the  object  which  it  met  to 
consider,  and  on  account  of  the  noble  men  who  composed  it.  Having  carefully 
"  examined  the  proceedings  of  the  Christian  friends  in  Roxbury,  and  their  views 
of  the  gospel,"  so  the  record  reads,  "  and  being  satisfied  with  their  correctness," 
it  was  "  voted,  that  we  publicly  express  fellowship  to  them  as  a  church  of  Christ." 

Mr.  Lincoln  supplied  the  pulpit  until  April.  Though  he  afterward  preached 
occasionally,  his  intimate  labors  with  the  church  then  ceased.  It  may  be  here 
said  that  to  Mr.  Ensign  Lincoln,  under  God,  the  Dudley-street  Baptist  Church 
owes  its  existence  more  than  to  any  other  human  agency. 

In  May,  the  Rev.  ^^'illiam  Gammell,  pastor  of  the  church  in  Medfield,  was 
invited  to  come,  and  preach  and  baptize,  and  he  came  on  the  13th,  preaching 
during  the  day,  and  baptizing  seven  converts  in  Stony  Brook.  It  is  recorded  that 
"  this  was  the  first  administration  of  baptism  in  Roxbury.  About  two  thousand 
persons  were  present,  and  all  appeared  solemn."  Those  early,  out-of-door, 
baptisms  were  attended  by  large  numbers  of  people,  of  all  classes  in  the  com- 
munity, who,  for  the  most  part,  looked  upon  them  with  attentive  and  respectful 
bearing.  It  was  almost  literally  true,  that  the  whole  village  turned  out  to  witness 
them.  And  the  ordinance  can  never  lose  its  attractive  power  as  the  beautiful  and 
appropriate  symbol  of  Christian  truth. 

Shortly  afterwards  Mr.  Gammell  received  a  unanimous  call  to  the  pastorate, 
which  he  declined. 


THE   DUDLEY  STREET  BAPTIST    CHURCH.  93 


The  year  passed  away,  and  the  church  was  still  without  a  pastor.  There  was 
no  Newton  Theological  Institution  at  that  early  day,  close  at  hand,  to  which  it 
could  look.  The  pulpit  was  supjjlied  from  Sunday  to  Sunday  by  Rev.  Elisha 
Williams,  Rev.  Henry  Jackson,  Rev.  Henry  J.  Ripley,  afterwards  Prof.  Ripley,  and 
by  many  others. 

In  Tanuary,  1822,  Rev.  Joseph  Elliot  of  Rockingham,  Vt.,  was  engaged  as  a 
supply,  and  preached  four  Sabbaths.  On  the  loth  of  February,  the  church  gave 
him  a  unanimous  call  to  remove  to  Roxbury,  and  assume  the  pastoral  care  of  this 
people.  This  call,  being  seconded  by  the  society,  was  accepted  by  Mr.  Elliot  on 
March  24  ;  and  he  became  the  first  pastor  of  this  church.  Mr.  Elliot  won  many 
strong  friends  while  here  ;  and  quite  a  number  were  baptized,  and  united  with  the 
churc'li.  But  his  stay  was  of  short  duration.  He  resigned,  amid  considerable 
disaffection,  June  24,  1824,  having  been  pastor  of  the  church  but  two  years  and 
three  months. 

In  December  following  Mr.  Elliot's  resignation,  the  church  and  society,  having 
enjoyed  the  labors  of  Mr.  William  Leverett  for  more  than  two  months,  unitedly 
extended  to  him  an  invitation  to  accept  the  pastoral  office,  and  labor  permanently 
with  them.  This  he  consented  to  do,  by  letter  of  Jan.  i,  1825.  Mr.  Leverett 
was  then  young,  without  pastoral  experience,  and  not  ordained;  but  he  was 
favorably  known  in  this  vicinity ;  and  this  union  was  destined  to  continue  through 
many  years,  and  to  result  in  great  spiritual  blessing  to  this  people.  He  was 
publicly  ordained,  and  set  apart  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry  in  Roxbury, 
the  twentieth  day  of  January.  His  ministry  was  blessed  with  several  seasons  of 
revival,  and  during  it  many  were  converted.  In  the  year  1828,  thirty-eight 
persons  were  baptized;  and  in  1831,  forty-one.  Other  years  show  a  less,  but 
still  a  good  number  of,  baptisms. 

In  1835,  to  meet  the  wants  of  an  increasing  congregation,  the  house  of 
worship  was  enlarged,  being  cut  into  two  parts,  and  lengthened  by  the  insertion  of 
eighteen  feet ;  thus  furnishing  thirty-two  additional  pews.  The  small  vestry  was 
disposed  of,  and  a  larger  one  erected  the  same  year. 

After  a  pastorate  of  much  more  than  the  ordinary  length.  Rev.  Mr.  Leverett 
presented  his  resignation  to  the  church  and  society,  July  7,  1839.  It  was  accepted 
with  many  expressions  of  grateful  and  affecdonate  appreciation  of  his  services. 
He  soon  after  removed  from  Roxbury,  and  became  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  East  Cambridge. 

Rev.  Thomas  Ford  Caldicott  was  the  next  and  third  pastor  of  this  church. 
He  was  born  in  the  village  of  Long  Buckby,  Northamptonshire,  England,  March 
2T,  1S03,  and  his  father  was  a  lay-preacher  of  the  Baptist  church  in  that  village. 
In' 1 82 7,  he  was  led  to  seek  a  field  of  labor  on  this  continent,  arriving  at  Quebec, 
where  he  taught  school,  and  preached   as  he  had  opportunity.     Having   been 


94  CHURCHES   OF   BOSTON. 

previously  ordained,  he  was  called,  in  1835,  to  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  where  he  became 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  church.  In  October,  1S39,  he  was  invited  by  this  church 
and  society  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  six  months.  This  he  consented  to  do,  and  on 
June  7,  1S40.  accepted  a  formal  call  from  them  to  become  their  pastor.  His 
entrance  into  this  relation  was  publicly  recognized,  August  30,  by  appropriate 
services. 

1  )r.  Caldicott  was  pastor  of  the  church  about  eight  years  ;  and  during  that 
time  he  won  a  large  place  in  the  affections  of  the  people,  and  his  memory  is  still 
cherished  by  many  among  us  as  "  a  large-hearted  man,  a  generous  and  sympa- 
thizing friend,  and  a  devoted  minister."  In  April,  1848,  he  resigned  his  charge 
as  pastor  to  labor  in  the  interests  of  ministerial  education,  having  been  appointed 
financial  agent  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society.  The  resignation  was 
accepted  by  the  church,  which  gave  him  a  formal  but  cheerful  testimonial  of  his 
character  and  faithful  services  as  a  Christian  minister. 

After  Dr.  Caldicott's  resignation,  the  church  was  not  long  destitute  of  pastoral 
care.  In  June,  1848,  the  Rev.  Thomas  D.  Anderson,  D.  D.,  recently  pastor  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church  in  Salem,  Mass.  (where  he  had  been  compelled  to  resign 
by  reason  of  failing  health),  was  invited  to  supply  the  pulpit  for  a  few  months. 
With  improved  health,  he  accepted,  on  August  20,  1848,  the  unanimous  call  of 
the  people  to  become  their  pastor,  and,  preferring  to  omit  all  public  services  of 
recognition,  immediately  entered  upon  his  pastoral  labors. 

It  became  evident,  very  soon,  that  a  new  and  more  spacious  sanctuary  was 
demanded  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  growing  congregation.  Early'  in  1852  it  was 
determined  to  dispose  of  the  old  house  of  worship,  and  to  erect  a  new  one  in  its 
place.  On  Sunday,  the  nth  of  April,  farewell  services  were  held  in  the  old 
house,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Leverett  preaching  in  the  morning,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Caldicott  in 
the  afternoon,  and  the  pastor  in  the  evening. 

The  building  was  purchased  by  the  Methodist  society,  and  was  immediatel)' 
removed  to  the  corner  of  Warren  and  Cliff  streets,  where  it  stood  for  man}'  years, 
until  destroyed  by  fire,  early  in  the  morning  of  Sunday,  March  29,  1868. 

The  corner-stone  of  the  present  house  was  laid  June  30,  1S52,  at  seven 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  with  approjjriate  services.  AMiile  without  a  Sabbath  home, 
the  church  accepted  the  generous  offer  of  the  First  Religious  Society  (the 
Rev.  Dr.  Putnam's),  of  their  house  for  public  worship,  and  enjoyed  the  hospitality 
of  the  Eliot  Congregational  Church  (Rev.  A.  C.  Thompson,  D.  D.,  pastor)  for 
the  Sunday  school  and  evening  meetings.  The  lecture  room  of  the  new  edifice 
was  opened  for  public  worship  on  the  seventh  day  of  November,  1852,  but  the 
house  was  not  dedicated  until  Wednesday,  July  27,  1853.  It  is  of  brick,  in  the 
pointed  Gothic  style.  Its  dimensions  are  :  extreme  length  on  the  ground,  a 
hundred  and  seventeen  feet   (exclusive  of  porch)  ;  extreme  breadth,  seventy-five 


THE   DUD  LET  STREET  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  9  5 

feet ;  lieight  of  tower  and  spire,  built  entirely  of  brick,  two  hundred  feet.  The 
exterior  is  covered  with  mastic,  and  blocked  off  in  imitation  of  brown  sandstone. 
The  interior  is  divided  into  nave  and  side-aisles,  by  cluster  columns,  from  which 
spring  arches  supporting  the  clere-story  ;  the  whole  finished  to  correspond  with 
the  general  style  of  the  building.  It  has  a  hundred  and  thirty-two  pews  on  the 
floor,  and  fifty-eight  in  the  galleries,  affording  accommodations  for  about  eleven 
hiuidred  persons.  In  the  changes  made  in  1870,  the  front  pew  of  each  aisle  was 
remo\-ed ;  making  the  number  on  the  floor  now  a  hundred  and  thirty-two. 
Within  the  church  stands  an  elegant  organ,  the  contribution,  almost  entirely,  of 
the  ladies. 

After  the  edifice  was  completed  according  to  the  original  design,  a  substan- 
tial porch,  of  the  same  material  and  style  as  the  building,  was  erected,  at  a  cost 
of  several  thousand  dollars,  in  order  to  furnish  an  easy  and  protected  entrance  to 
the  house.  A  large  lecture-room  and  committee-rooms  are  under  the  main  audi 
ence-room,  but  are  entirely  above  ground.  The  house  has  been  kept  in  good 
repair,  and   is  one  of  the   most  convenient  and  attractive  sanctuaries  in  the  city. 

In  August  and  September,  1S70,  it  was  newly  carpeted  and  upholstered 
throughout.  A  new  pulpit  and  pulpit  furniture,  with  a  more  spacious  platform, 
were  introduced.  gi\'ing  a  more  convenient  baptistry.  A  two-story  projection  was 
erected  in  the  rear,  in  the  second  story  of  which  are  pleasant  ante-rooms,  on  a 
level  with  the  pulpit.  The  first  story  contains  a  kitchen,  &:c.  Upon  these  changes 
and  repairs  nine  thousand  dollars  were  expended. 

Rev.  Dr.  Anderson,  after  a  long  and  successful  ministry,  was  led  to  feel  that 
it  was  his  duty  to  accept  the  urgent  call  of  the  First  Baptist  Church  in  New  York 
City.  He  resigned  the  charge  of  this  church,  which  was  devotedly  attached  to 
him,  and  to  which  he  was  no  less  devotedly  attached,  on  the  2Sth  of  December, 
1861.  The  church,  with  deep  and  unfeigned  sorrow  at  the  sundering  of  ties  that 
were  so  tender  and  sacred,  was  constrained  to  accept  his  resignation,  and  submit 
to  what  it  could  not  a\ert.  He  was  followed  to  New  York  by  the  earnest  prayers 
of  this  people,  and  the  kind  wishes  of  a  large  circle  of  friends. 

The  Rev.  Henry  Melville  King  then  preached  here  for  about  two  months,  and 
received  a  call  in  February,  1S63.  He  undertook  the  duties  of  pastor  on  the  first 
Sunday  in  April,  and  this  relation  was  publicly  recognized  on  the  evening  of  the 
second  Sunday,  April  12. 

This  pastorate  was  a  very  long  one,  continuing  for  a  period  of  more  than  iS 
years.     Mr.  King  resigned  about  the  close  of  the  year  1881. 

The  pastorate  of  Mr.  King  was,  also,  no  less  successful  than  long.  The 
church's  growth,  under  his  faithful  ministrations,  during  all  this  time,  was  steady 
and  uniform,  both  in  actual  numbers  and  spiritual  progress.  His  noble  quahties, 
and  tireless,  faithful  labors,  have  left  an  enduring  impress  upon  it. 


96  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

In  April,  1882,  the  Rev.  John  M.  English  sustained  the  pastoral  relation  for 
a  short  time  only.  He  resigned  in  July  of  the  same  year,  in  order  to  accept  a 
Professor's  chair  in  the  Newton  Theological -Institution. 

On  the  last  Sunday  in  February,  1883,  the  Rev.  Albert  K.  Potter,  D.  D.,  of 
Springfield,  entered  upon  the  seventh  pastorate  of  this  prominent  church,  under 
auspicious  circumstances,  and  witli  promise  of  successful  labor  in  this  new  field  of 
service. 

The  present  church  membership  is  592,  and  that  of  the  Sunday  School  476. 

This  church  has  assisted  in  the  formation  of  other  Baptist  churches  by  con- 
tributing of  its  members.  The  Jamaica  Plain  Church,  the  Tremont  Baptist 
Churcli,  tlie  Dearborn  Street  Church,  and  the  Stoughton  Street  Church,  and 
others,  haVe  received  accessions  from  this  church. 

Church  Officers  : — Pastor :  The  Rev.  A.  K.  Potter,  D.  D.  ;  Deacons  :  W. 
A.  Bowdlear,  E.  A.  Hovey,  George  K.  Somerby,  James  T.  Pond,  E.  Daniel 
Downes,  John  Carr ;  Clerk  :  E.  Daniel  Downes ;  Treasurer,  J.  T.  Pond  ;  Sunday 
School  Superintendent,  Alfred  A.  Blair. 


r 


THE   INDEPENDENT  BAPTIST   CHURCH.  97 


The  Independent  Baptist  Church, 

(COLORED.) 
Smith's  Court,  Joy  Street. 

This  church  was  organized  August  8,  1805.  The  Rev.  T.  Paul  was  the  first 
pastor.  He  was  installed  December  4,  1806,  and  resigned  in  1829.  The  Rev. 
W.  Christian  followed  in  1830,  and  left  after  one  year.  In  ,1832,  the  Rev.  T. 
Ritchie  was  engaged,  but  his  service  was  short.  In  1834-5,  Mr.  Gouch  filled  the 
pulpit,  but  died  soon  afterwards.  The  next  preacher  was  the  Rev.  J.  Given,  who 
labored  for  one  year.  Mr.  Archer  followed,  but  soon  resigned.  In  November, 
1838,  the  Rev.  G.  H.  Black  was  ordained  to  the  pastorate.  Under  him  a  seces- 
sion occurred,  from  which  arose  the  Twelfth  Baptist  Church,  of  which  he  was  the 
first  preacher.  During  part  of  this  time,  the  Rev.  J.  T.  Raymond  also  acted  as  pas- 
tor. In  1 844  he  resigned  and  went  to  Philadelphia.  After  a  season  of  supplies, 
the  church,  in  1845,  re-called  Mr.  Raymond,  who  resigned  again  very  shortly. 

The  pastors  who  followed  were :  The  Rev.  W.  B.  Serrington,  who  was 
appointed  in  1847,  and  served  two  years  ;  the  Rev.  W.  Thompson,  who  was 
called  in  185 1,  and  closed  in  1853;  the  Rev.  T.  Henson,  called  in  1855,  and 
resigned  in  1858  ;  the  Rev.  J.  Sella  Martin,  called  in  i860,  and  resigned  in  1862  ; 
the  Rev.  H.  White,  called  in  1864,  and  resigned  in  1867  ;  the  Rev.  A.  Ellis,  who 
was  installed  in  1868,  and  left,  to  found  the  Day  Star  Church,  in  1876.  After  him 
came  the  two  short  pastorates  of  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Mathews  and  Davis.  The 
present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Peter  Smith,  was  then  called  to  the  i)astorate,  which  he 
still  holds. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Peter  Smith  ;  Deacons  :  James 
Scott,  R.  Johnson,  John  Logan,  ^Vm.  Mercer,  J.  S.  Kemp,  H.  Taylor,  C.J.  Moor. 


The  Day-Star  Baptist  Church, 

(COLORED.) 
84  West  Springfield  Street. 


This  church  was  organized  in  1876,  under  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  Rev. 
A.  Ellis,  with  a  memljership  of  twenty-three.  The  first  meetings  took  place  in 
Nassau  Hall,  corner  Common  and  Washington  streets. 

Mr.  Ellis  resigned  early  in  1882,  and  since  then  the  church  has  been  served 
by  temporary  supplies.  The  membership  is  forty-eight.  The  church  removed  to 
its  present  location  in  November,  1881. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  : ;  Deacons  :  W.  H.  Smith,  F.  N.  Gray  j 

Clerk  and  Sunday  School  Superintendent :  Twine. 


98  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  Ebenezer  Baptist  Church, 

(COLORED.) 
85  West  Concord  Street. 


This  church  was  established  in  the  fall  of  1869,  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Randolph, 
in  order  to  meet  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  colored  people  at  the  South  End.  The 
number  of  original  members  was  eight.  The  church  first  met  in  an  old  building 
at  1012  Washington  street.  The  little  church  soon  grew,  and  in  1870  removed  to 
the  present  location,  at  85  AVest  Concord  street.  Mr.  Randolph  left  after  eight 
months'  service,  and  the  pastors  who  followed  were  :  The  Re\-.  Messrs.  Henson, 
J.  H.  Gaines,  Webster,  Hall,  Scott,  and  the  present  incumbunt,  William  Birch, 
who  was  settled  in  April,  1882.  This  church  has  throughout  its  career  been  an 
object  of  the  special  care  and  guardianship  of  the  Clarendon  Street  Church.  The 
membership  is  200. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  W.  Birch  ;  Deacons  :  George 
Wilkins,  D.  Olmstead,  Joseph  Gordon,  Henry  Cxibson,  T.  J.  Ruffin,  Frank  White, 
Waverly  Hill.         

The  Twelfth  Baptist  Church, 

(COLORED.) 
45  Phillips  Street. 


This  church  was  formed  by  secession  from  the  Independent  Baptist  Church, 
in  1840,  under  the  leadership  of  Mr.  Black.     After  Mr.  Black's  death,  the  Rev.  L. 

A.  Grimes  was  chosen  pastor  and  continued  for  twenty-seven  years.  In  the 
course  of  this  long  pastorate,  Mr.  Grimes  achieved  a  prominent  position  in  the 
Christian  world  among  all  denominations,  and  won  the  high  confidence  and 
regard,  not  only  of  his  own  sect,  but  of  the  entire  community.  He  died  in 
March,   1874. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  George  Williams,  who  was  installed  in  the  sum- 
mer of  the  same  year.  After  him  followed  the  Rev.  Wm.  Dennis.  The  present 
pastor,  the  Rev.  L.  G.  Walden.  was  settled  November  19,  1880.  The  member- 
ship is  about  650. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  The  Rev.  Lemuel  G.  ^Valden  ;  Deacons  : 
Wm.  Allen,  Rob't  Smith,  George  Smith,  Lundy  Tabb,  Jeffrey  Bush  ;  Clerk  :  W.  H. 

B.  Robinson  ;  Treasurer  :  Wm.  Clark ;  Financial  Secretary  :  John  Thornton. 


THE  FIRST  FREE  BAPTIST  CHURCH.  99 


The  First  Free  Baptist  Church, 

Shawmut  Avenue.  Corner  Rutlaxd  Street. 


This  church  is  connected  with  the  Free  Baptist  denomination,  and  at  this 
time  (18S3)  is  tlie  only  church  of  the  kind  in  the  city.  The  church  and  denom- 
ination are  strictly  Baptists  (or  Immersionists),  but  differ  from  other  Baptists  in 
their  practice  of  open  communion.  Having  recently  occupied  its  present  house 
of  worship,  in  a  favorable  location,  the  church  is  making  rapid  gains  in  member- 
ship and  strength. 

The  church  was  organized  September  20,  1844,  in  what  was  known  as  the 
Marlboro'  Chapel,  and  subsequently  occupied  Boylston  Hall.  The  Rev.  Eli 
Noyes,  D.  D.,  was  the  first  pastor.  The  ordinance  of  baptism  was  administered 
for  the  first  time  October  13,   1844. 

The  church  was  received  into  the  Boston  Quarterly  Meeting,  (now  the 
Massachusetts  Free  Baptist  Association,)  at  the  October  session,  1844.  Dr. 
Noyes  resigned  his  pastorate  February  21,  1849,  and  was  succeeded  in  June  of 
the  same  year  by  the  Rev.  Ransom  Dunn,  D.  D.  During  Dr.  Dunn's  pastorate 
the  church  purchased  a  house  of  worship  on  North  Bennett  street,  near  Hanover 
street,  and  was  afterwards  known  as  the  North  Bennett  Street  Free  Baptist  Church. 
Dr.  Dunn  havuig  resigned  his  pastorate  in  March,  1851,  on  account  of  impaired 
health,  the  Rev.  D.  P.  Cilley  became  pastor,  in  August  of  the  same  year. 

Dr.  Dunn  again  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  1859,  and  was  followed  by 
Rev.  A.  W.  Avery  in  June,  1861.  Mr.  Avery  closed  his  pastorate  at  the  end  of 
the  year  1864. 

Rev.  I.  D.  Steward  was  the  next  pastor,  commencing  his  labors  in  November, 
1855,  and  closing  in  April,  1867.  He  was  followed  by  Rev.  N.  F.  Rowell,  who 
resigned  in  February,  1869.  Rev.  A.  P.  Tracy  followed  him,  remaining  with  the 
church  until  November,  1871.  At  the  beginning  of  1873,  I^^^'-  ^-  K-  Griffin 
became  pastor.  In  June,  1873,  twenty-two  members  were  dismissed  from  the 
church  to  be  organized  into  a  Free  Baptist  Church  in  Charlestown.  The  Char- 
lestown  church  has  ceased  to  exist,  but  a  vigorous  church  in  Somerville  has  grown 
out  of  it. 


100  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

The  house  of  worship  on  North  Bennett  street  was  sold  in  1874.  The  Free- 
man Place  Chajjel  was  occupied  by  the  church  for  two  or  three  years,  and 
afterwards  meetings  were  held  in  the  Somerset  Street  Baptist  meeting-house,  until 
the  church  moved  to  its  present  location. 

Rev.  J.  E.  Dame  became  pastor  of  the  church  in  1S75,  ^^''^^  resigned  in  1876. 
He  was  followed  in  1877  by  Rev.  C.  H.  Smith,  who  left  the  pastorate  in  March, 
1878.  Rev.  C.  H.  Malcolm,  D.  D.,  was  pastor  from  January,  1879,  to  July  of 
the  same  year.  Rev.  C.  S.  Perkins,  the  present  pastor,  entered  upon  his  work  in 
November,  1879. 

The  church  occupied  its  present  house  of  worship  on  Shawmut  avenue,  cor- 
ner of  Rutland  street,  in  June,  1882. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor :  Rev.  Charles  S.  Perkins ;  Clerk  :  C.  A.  Eaton  ; 
Treasurer  :  W.  P.  Pease  ;  Executive  Board  :  Chas.  S.  Perkins,  W.  P.  Pease,  Sam- 
uel G.  Kenney,  A.  M.  Coombs,  Jacob  Jackson,  C.  A.  Eaton,  Henry  W.  Jackson. 


THE   SPRINGFIELD    STREET  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.        10  1 


The  Springfield  St,  Presbyterian  Church, 

West  Springfield  Street,  Near  Tremont  Street. 


The  year  1875  found  a  large  number  of  Presbyterians  in  various  parts  of  the 
city,  who,  for  some  reasons,  had  not  come  under  the  direct  spiritual  oversight  of 
any' of  the  then  existing  churches,  and  it  was  felt  by  many  of  these  that  the  time 
had  come  for  forming  another  Presbyterian  congregation. 

In  the  earlier  part  of  this  year,  the  Rev.  P.  M.  Macdonald,  then  attending 
PTartford  Theological  Seminary,  visited  the  city  and  preached  in  several  of  the 
Presbyterian  churches,  and  a  strong  desire  was  expressed  on  every  hand  to  form  a 
new  congregation  under  his  pastorate.  On  his  return  to  the  Seminary,  Mr.  Mac- 
donald placed  the  matter  before  Dr.  Hodge,  of  Hartford,  who  strongly  urged  him 
to  accede  to  the  request  of  the  people.  The  Home  Missionary  Board,  also  rec- 
ognizing the  great  need  of  the  field,  commissioned  Mr.  Macdonald  to  labor  there 
fo^r  three  months,  guaranteeing  him  the  sum  of  one  hundred  dollars  for  his  ser- 
vices.    Shortly  after  graduating,  he  addressed  himself  to  the  work  assigned  him. 

About  this  time,  a  vacancy  occurred  in  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  of 
Reading,  through  the  resignation  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Gardiner.  An  invitation  was 
extending  to  Mr.  Macdonald  to  preach  in  that  church,  the  result  being  that  an 
arrangement  was  entered  into,  by  which  he  should  supply  Reading  in  the  morning 
and  afternoon,  and  Boston  in  the  evening. 

Mr.  Macdonald,  on  completing  his  theological  course,  was,  on  the  second 
Tuesday  in  October,  1875,  received  by  letter  as  a  hcentiate  from  the  Westchester 
Presbytery  of  New  York,  to  the  Presbytery  of  Boston,  convened  in  London- 
derry, N.  H.  . 

It  was  resolved  that  he  should  be  allowed  tu  continue  his  work  m  the  city,  as 
well  as  in  Reading,  and  that  a  committee  should  be  appointed  to  visit  the  field, 
and  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Presbytery.  After  this  decision  Mr.  Mac- 
donald addressed  himself  with  renewed  vigor  to  the  v\ork,  and  soon  found  himself 
surrounded  by  an  earnest  band  of  Christian  people.  In  spite  of  the  great  com- 
mercial depression  of  that  time  (1875),  which  caused  many  families  to  leave  the 
city,  the  congregation  steadily  increased  in  numbers,  until,  at  the  end  of  the  first 
year,  there  were  upwards  of  two  hundred  members. 


102 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTOX. 


The  services  up  to  this  time  had  been  held  in  the  United  Presbyterian 
Church,  which  had  been  rented  for  the  purpose.  It  was  thought  desiral)le,  how- 
ever, to  seek  another  place  of  worship,  and  at  this  point  tlie  Rev.  I,.  1!.  Si  hwartz, 
pastor  of  the  German  Reformed  Churcli,  Shawmut  Street,  kindly  iilarcd  his 
church  at  their  disposal  until  such  time  as  they  should  be  able  to  make  some 
more  permanent  arrangement.  The  congregation  gladly  availed  themselves  of  this 
generous  Christian  offer,  and  assembled  there  until  the  spring  of  iS.Si,  when  they 
removed  to  the  more  spacious  edifice  on  West  Springfield  Street,  where  they  now 
worship. 

This  building  has  a  seating  capacity,  on  the  first  floor,  for  about  eight  hundred 
people,  in  the  gallery  for  about  two  hundred  more,  and  is  connected  by  an  ele- 
gant ])arlor  with  a  large  and  comfortable  chapel. 

The  work  in  Boston  had,  from  the  first,  been  exposed  to  peculiar  hindrances, 
one  of  the  greatest  of  which  was  the  attitude  of  the  other  Presbyterian  churches 
toward  it.  The  proposal  to  form  another  Presbyterian  congregation  in  the  cit\- 
had  all  along  been  actively  opposed  by  several  leading  members  of  the  Presbytery 
and  their  congregations.  Nor  was  that  opposition  withdrawn  even  after  the  Pres- 
bytery had  formally  sanctioned  the  step  taken.  The  impression  prevailed  among 
them  that  there  was  no  necessity  for  another  congregation.  .Another  hindrance 
to  the  progress  of  the  congregation  has  l)een  the  want  of  a  suitable  church  build- 
ing. The  wide  extent  of  the  field,  and  the  lack  of  sufficient  funds,  made  it 
inexpedient  to  build  a  church.  The  work  was  as  yet  but  an  experiment,  and  it 
was  thought  best  neither  to  select  a  permanent  location,  nor  incur  an\-  large  jjecu- 
niary  outlay,  until  such  time  as  the  growth  and  material  progress  of  the  congre- 
gation should  place  the  matter  beyond  all  risk   of  failure. 

But  though  the  congregation  is  not  yet  sufiiciently  strong  to  erect  a  suitable 
place  of  worship,  it  has  always  been  able  to  meet  its  large  current  expenses.  And, 
while  making  steady  progress  in  numbers,  wealth,  and  position,  it  is  peculiarly 
gratifying  that  in  the  few  years  of  its  existence  it  has  been  greatly  honored  in 
doing  God's  work. 

Steady  accessions  have  been  made  to  the  membership,  forty-three  names 
having  been  added  to  the  roll  during  the  past  year.  The  attendance  at  the  regular 
Sabbath  services  is  large,  at  times  taxing  the  capacity  of  the  building  to  its  utmost. 

In  connection  with  the  Sabbath  afternoon  service  there  is  a  Sabbath  School 
which  is  well  attended,  and  has  a  large  and  efficient  staff  of  teachers. 

In  connection  with  both  the  afternoon  and  evening  services  is  held  a  service 
of  praise,  in  which  a  very  large  portion  of  the  congregation  take  part.  There  is 
also  a  Church  Aid  Society  in  active  operation  which  is  doing  a  good  work. 

Mr.  Macdonald,  on  being  setded  in  Boston,  —  with  a  view  to  greater  etifi- 
ciency  in  his  work,  — pursued  a  course  of  two  years'  study  in  the  Boston  University 


vSchool  of  Oratory,  graduating  in  June,  1877.  Resolved  to  take  advantage  of  the 
o;'portunites  here  offered  of  further  prosecuting  his  studies  in  the  higher  depart- 
ments of  science  and  philosophy,  he  also  entered  upon  tlie  post-graduate  course 
of  the  Boston  University,  and  graduated  in  the  College  of  All  Sciences,  in  June, 
1879,  receiving  the  degree  of  Master  of  Arts,  and  is  now  near  the  completion  of 
his  course  for  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Philosophy.  In  the  summer  of  1878  he 
made  a  tour  abroad,  traveling  extensively  in  Scotland,  England,  France,  Sweden, 
dermany,  and  IJclgium.  The  following  )'ear  he  attended  the  General  Assembly 
of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Saratoga,  as  a  delegate  from  the  Presbytery  of 
Boston.  Even  when  the  work  seemed  most  discouraging,  Mr.  Macdonald  never 
wavered  in  his  decison  to  remain  with  his  people,  though  flattering  inducements 
were  held  out  to  him  elsewhere. 

That  a  new  church  edifice  will  be  absolutely  demanded  in  the  near  future  by 
the  needs  of  this  congregation  cannot  —  in  view  of  the  very  large  attendance  at 
the  regular  services — be  doubted  ;  and  thus  it  will  soon  be  necessary  to  put  forth 
a  special  effort  to  secure  such  a  building  for  its  growing  requirements.  And,  though 
a  severe  strain  may  thus  be  imposed  on  the  power  of  this  infant  church,  it  may 
confidently  be  believed  that  he  who  has  planted  this  sacred  nurseling  with  his  own 
right  hand,  and  watered  it  with  the  dews  of  heaven,  will  inspire  the  Christian 
community  to  devise  yet  more  liberal  things  towards  its  highest  success. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  P.  M.  Macdonald,  M.  A.  ;  Elders  : 
Angus  Macdonald,  M.  D.,  Neil  Macinnes,  Adam  C.  Barney,  Murdock  Montgom- 
ery, Clerk  of  Session  ;  Trustees  :  John  McNevin,  Malcolm  Morrison,  John  Mac- 
donald, Archibald  Macintyre,  Hugh  Nicholson,  D.  B.  Mackenzie  ;  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  Angus  Macdonald,  M.  D. ;  Chorister  :  Edward  A.  Rowland. 


104  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church, 

Cor.  Berkeley  Street  and  Columbus  Avenue. 


In  the  year  1852,  a  number  of  Presbyterians,  principally  from  Scotland,  being 
desirous  to  have  Presbyterian  preaching  in  Boston,  selected  a  committee  of  seven 
persons  to  open  a  correspondence  with  the  Rev.  Dr.  Bonar,  of  Edinburgh,  Con- 
vener of  the  Colonial  Committee  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  which  action 
resulted  in  the  appointment  of  the  Rev.  Adam  Stuart  Muir  to  this  field  of  labor. 
The  committee  having  become  responsible  for  his  passage-money  to  this  country 
and  back  —  about  $400  —  he  came  over,  and  preached  for  the  first  lime  on 
December  11,  1853,  at  the  Melodeon,  on  Washington  street.  He  continued  to 
preach  there  until  June,  1854,  and  afterwards  at  the  Freeman  Place  Chapel  until 
June,  1855.  The  services,  during  this  time,  were  under  the  superintendence  of 
the  Presbytery  of  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  and  three  elders  had  been  ordained  — 
James  AVallace,  David  Steele,  and  David  Thompson.  A  call  was  extended  to  Mr. 
Muir  to  become  pastor  of  the  church,  but,  many  persons  having  lost  confidence 
in  him,  it  was  not  unanimous.  He  therefore  returned  to  Scotland.  The  elders 
ordained  l)y  him  also  lost  the  confidence  of  the  church,  and  the  Presbytery  of 
Halifax  declared  their  ordination  unauthorized,  irregular,  and  void.  The  Presby 
tery  then  sent  out  a  young  man  named  Ross,  who  supplied  tlie  pulpit  for  a  year, 
during  which  time  the  congregation  dwindled  to  a  mere  handful. 

In  June,  1856,  the  congregation  voted  to  unite  with  the  Presbytery  of  Mon 
treal,  which  gave  them  good  and  regular  supplies.  After  some  delay  the  church 
was  received  into  connection  with  the  Canadian  Church,  and  in  July,  1857,  the 
Rev.  William  McLaren,  of  Amherstburg,  Canada,  having  received  an  unanimous 
call,  was  installed  as  pastor.  He  remained  until  December,  1S58,  and  met  with 
great  success  in  his  work  here. 

The  church  was  consolidated  during  this  pastorate  ;  prayer  meetings,  bible 
classes,  a  young  men's  literary  society,  and  other  cliurch  enterprises,  were  estab- 
lished. 

In  the  fall  of  1858,  the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  at  East 
Boston,  united  with  the  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church,  and,  with  hearty  approval, 


THE   FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  105 

this  church  voted  to  do  the  same,  beheving  that  more  good  could  be  accom- 
pHshed  in  an  American,  than  a  Canadian  connection.  The  church,  therefore,  with 
but  one  dissenting  voice,  decided  to  unite  with  the  Presbytery  of  Londonderry, 
N.  H.,  the  vote  to  take  effect  on  December  i,  1S5S.  In  consec^uence  of  this,  the 
Rev.  Mr.  McLaren  returned  to  Canada,  with  very  substantial  tokens  of  the  good 
will  of  the  peo^jle,  and  universal  regrets  at  his  departure. 

In  the  spring  of  1859,  the  society  removed  to  the  Meionaon,  and,  by  a 
divided  \ote,  invited  the  Rev.  David  Magill,  of  Philadelphia,  to  the  pastoral 
office.  He  was  installed  on  Thursday,  July  14,  1859.  The  church  was  fully 
organized  on  the  25th  of  March,  i860,  by  the  installation  of  R.  K.  M.  Baynum, 
and  Donald  D.  Morrison,  as  elders. 

Meanwhile — in  December,  1S59,  the  Unitarian  church  building  at  the  cor- 
ner of  Beach  street  and  Harrison  avenue  had  been  purchased,  and  on  the  8th  of 
January,  i860,  it  was  opened  as  an  Old  School  Presbyterian  Church. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Magill  resigned  the  pastorate  in  August,  1S61  ;  it  having 
become  apparent  that  he  could  not  raise  the  funds  necessary  to  pay  for  the  newly 
acquired  edifice.     • 

During  a  portion  of  the  year  1862  the  pulpit  was  supplied  acceptably  by  the 
Rev.  H.  ]M.  Painter,  of  Booneville,  Missouri.  Subsequently  the  office  of  supply 
was  filled  by  the  Rev.  R.  A.  DeLancey,  D.  D.,  —  during  part  of  the  time  without 
remuneration  —  until  October  23,  1S64,  when  an  union  was  efiected  with  the  Oak 
Place  Congregational  Church,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bixby  was  installed  as  pastor. 
Some  delay  occurred  in  carrying  the  terms  of  the  union  into  effect,  in  consequence 
of  opposition  in  the  session,  but  it  was  finally  accomplished ;  although  by  that 
time  many  of  the  Oak  Place  Church  people  had  left.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Bixby 
resigned  in  the  fall  of  1866. 

After  much  difficulty  in  finding  a  suitable  man  to  fill  the  pastoral  office,  the 
church,  in  the  summer  of  1868,  united  in  a  call  to  the  Rev.  James  B.  Dunn,  of 
New  York.  He  accepted  the  call,  and  entered  on  his  labors  on  the  first  Sabbath 
of  September  in  that  year.  There  was  at  that  time  a  debt  of  ^30,000  burdening 
the  society,  the  church  membership  was  much  reduced,  and  the  congregation  was 
small  in  numbers  ;  though  comprising  earnest  men  and  women,  who  had  faithfully 
labored  and  hopefully  prayed  for  the  firm  establishment  of  this  Christian  enter- 
prise. 

The  labors  of  the  new  pastor  were  very  successful ;  many  united  with  the 
church  at  each  communion,  and  the  expectations  of  the  most  hopeful  were  more 
than  realized.  On  one  occasion  more  tnan  one  hundred  persons  were  added  to 
the  church. 

In  the  spring  of  1869,  the  members  of  the  congregation  subscribed  a  sum  of 
money  more  than  equal  to  the  indebtedness  of  the  society,  to  be  paid  at  the  expir- 


ation  of  five  years,  with  interest  guaranteed,  and  by  this  means  the  treasury  was 
relieved  of  the  heavy  burden  of  interest  which  had  crippled  the  operations  of  the 
church  for  ten  years.  As  will  be  subsequently  seen,  ho\vc\-er,  this  arrangement 
was  not  carried  out  to  its  completion. 

In  January,  1870,  some  of  the  active  members  of  the  church  i)urchased  the 
Congregational  church  edifice  on  Springfield  street,  and  tlie  Third  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Boston  was  organized  there  on  the  3rd  of  February  of  that  year ;  thir- 
teen members  of  this  church  being  dismissed  in  order  to  unite  with  the  new 
enterprise.  This  action  proved  to  be  very  ill-advised,  and  most  disastrous  in  its 
results  to  all  concerned  in  it.  It  was  prejudicial  to  the  parent  church,  because  it 
drew  off  several  of  the  most  influential  and  efficient  members,  before  the  church 
was  able  to  spare  them  ;  to  those  who  went  out  it  was  also  disastrous,  because  the 
liabilities  which  they  assumed  were  much  greater  than  they  were  able  to  bear. 
Misunderstandings  and  dissentions  arose  with  regard  to  the  control  of  the  afiairs 
of  the  new  church,  which  made  the  relations  between  the  two  churches  very 
unpleasant.  To  this  movement  may  also  be  attributed  the  failure  of  the  sub- 
scription for  the  debt  of  the  First  Church,  before  mentioned  ;  since  the  four 
largest  subscribers  to  that  fund  were  the  same  men  wlio  made  themselves  respon- 
sible for  the  Springfield  street  property.  As  far  as  the  number  of  members  was 
concerned,  the  places  of  those  who  left  were  soon  more  than  filled ;  the  additions 
during  the  two  or  three  succeeding  years  being  very  large.  But  in  the  points  of 
efficiency  and  strength,  and  faithful,  zealous  effort,  their  i)laces  were  not  made 
good.  There  was  also  but  little  permanent  element  in  the  character  of  the  addi- 
tions which  then  flowed  into  the  society.  Many  of  them  were  immigrants  from 
the  British  Provinces,  and  the  nature  of  their  occupations  in  Boston  made  them, 
to  a  great  extent,  transient  only. 

On  Friday  evening,  May  9,  1873,  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  was  held  in 
order  to  consider  the  desirability  of  changing  the  location  of  the  church,  and 
obtaining  a  new  building.  This  was  the  first  definite  action  taken  in  connection 
with  this  movement,  which,  after  more  than  three  years  of  difficulty  and  anxiety, 
culminated  in  the  dedication  of  the  present  handsome  church  edifice  on  Berkeley 
street  and  Columbus  avenue,  where  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Boston  now 
worships.  At  this  meeting  it  was  resolved,  in  consequence  of  the  then  edifice 
having  become  too  small  to  accommodate  all  the  communicants,  and  the  contem- 
plated city  improvements  absolutely  necessitating  the  removal  of  the  church,  to 
build  a  new  church,  and  a  committee  of  five  persons  was  appointed  to  take  such 
steps  as  were  required. 

The  Beach  street  property  was  held  by  a  body  of  nine  trustees,  some  of 
whom  had  left  the  communion  of  the  parent  church  at  the  time  of  the  Springfield 
street  movement.     Division  arose  in  the  church  councils  from  this  cause,  and  con- 


THE   FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.  I07 


siderable  objection  was  raised  by  others  of  the  board  of  trustees.  Notwithstand- 
ing all  the  difficulties  and  disputations  to  which  the  movement  gave  rise,  however, 
it  was  nevertheless  persevered  in,  and  the  zeal  of  its  supporters  was  finally  rewarded 
by  its  consummation.  The  old  building  was  purchased  by  the  cit)'  authorities  in 
January,  1875,  the  price  agreed  upon  being  $115,000;  it  was  not  vacated  by  the 
congregation,  however,  until  J^Iay  of  the  same  year,  during  which  time  the  society 
paid  rent  to  the  cit\-  for  its  use.  On  leaving  the  old  Beach  street  building,  the 
congregation  hired  the  Harvard  Street  Baptist  Church,  on  Harvard  street  and 
Harrison  avenue,  where  they  worshiped  until  the  summer  of  1S76.  The  new 
house  was  at  that  time  in  progress,  the  corner-stone  having  been  laid  on  Thurs- 
day, April  13,  1S76,  on  which  occasion  the  services  were  conducted  by  clergymen 
from  all  the  denominations.  After  the  summer  vacation  in  the  Centenniar  year, 
during  which  term  the  society  was  without  a  place  of  assembling,  the  congrega- 
tion held  their  first  meetings  in  the  new  church  building,  in  September,  1876.  ^At 
this  time  only  the  lecture-room  was  ready  for  occupancy.  The  entire  building 
was  finally  completed  and  dedicated  in  January,  1S77. 

In  consequence  of  the  non-completion  of  the  original  subscription  by  the 
church  members  in  1S70,  previously  spoken  of,  the  sum  received  by  the  trustees 
for  the  old  Beach  street  property  was  only  $88,579.46,  the  greater  part  of  the 
original  mortgage,  together  with  expenses,  having  been  deducted  from  the  full 
sum  of  $115,000  voted  by  the  city.  In  consequence  of  this,  and  also  of  the 
great  decrease  of  income  arising  from  the  unsettled  state  of  the  congregation  dur- 
ing the  building  operations,  it  was  found  necessary  to  incur  a  new  mortgage  for 
the  sum  of  $20,000,  which  was  placed  on  the  building  in  October,  1S76.  A 
smaller  mortgage,  for  the  sum  of  $2,500  was  also  placed  on  the  unused  land 
adjoining  the  building  on  Berkeley  street.  This  piece  of  land  was  sold  in  18S0, 
for  the  sum  of  $4,500. 

Dr.  Dunn  resigned  the  pastorate  in  September,  1879.  After  an  interregnum, 
the  Rev.  ^V.  Brenton  Greene,  Jr.,  of  Princeton,  was  installed  as  pastor  on  Tune 
3,  18S0. 

The  church  has  now  entirely  recovered  from  the  depressed  state  into  which 
it  fell  during  its  translation  from  the  old  to  the  new  edifice,  with  its  attendant 
troubles.  The  new  paster  was  most  successful,  and  though  a  very  young  man, 
won  the  highest  esteem  and  confidence  of  his  people.  The  financial  condition 
of  the  society  is  much  improved.  All  the  expenses  entailed  by  the  removal  have 
been  paid,  and  the  mortgage  reduced.  The  active  and  zealous  persevering  labor 
of  the  church's  faithfiU  members  have  been  greatly  rewarded,  and  a  new  cause 
for  devout  gratitude  is  herein  found  towards  Him  in  whose  honor  and  for  whose 
glory  all  their  pious  labor  has  been  humbly  expended.  Mr.  Greene  retired  from 
the  pastorate  in  April,  1883. 


108  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  : ;  Ruling    Elders  :    Francis    Bundy, 

William  J.  Irving,  James  Currie,  James  Waters,  Angus  McWilliams,  Stephen 
Brown,  William  W.  Grant,  James  B.  Henderson,  John  Sutherland  ;  Deacons : 
John  C.  States,  James  McKissick,  John  Obermeyer,  David  Jamieson,  Thomas  G. 
Dickey ;  Trustees  :  James  Currie,  James  Waters,  James  McKissick,  John  Suther- 
land, Albert  C.  Smith,  James  B.  Henderson,  William  Jamieson,  Angus  Douglass, 
Stephen  Brown  ;  Treasurer  and  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School :  William  J. 
Irving. 


THE  FOURTH  PRESBTTERIAN   CHURCH. 


109 


The  Fourth  Presbyterian  Church, 

Fourth  St.,  between  G  and  H  Sts.,  So.  Boston. 


This  church,  situated  on  Fourth  street,  between  G  and  H  streets.  So.  Boston, 
IS  connected  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  U.  S. 

It  was  organized  in  December,  1870,  with  thirty-one  members,  and  worshiped 
in  Wait's  Hall  for  several  years.  Rev.  L.  H.  Angier  was  its  first  pastor,  from  June, 
1 87 1,  to  December,  1873.  Under  his  ministry  there  was  considerable  interest 
manifested,  a  goodly  number  joining  the  society  and  contributing  liberally  to  its 
support.  During  this  period  the  lot  of  land  containing  10,000  feet,  on  which  the 
present  church  stands,  was  purchased. 

In  April,  1874,  Rev.  William  M.  Baker  became  its  pastor  and  continued  so 
until  October,  1876.  During  this  pastorate  the  present  building  was  erected  and 
occupied  in  May,  1875. 

It  has  a  seating  capacity  of  300,  with  rooms  on  either  side  for  prayer  meet- 
ings and  other  purposes,  which  can  be  thrown  open,  adding  150  more  seats.  The 
expense  of  land  and  building,  together  with  the  financial  difficulty  of  this  period, 
which  reduced  the  regular  income,  and  prevented  others  from  making  good  their 
promises  toward  the  building  fund,  involved  the  society  in  a  debt  of  $14,000, 
which  was  almost  wholly  extinguished  in  1882,  by  the  efforts  of  the  members 
aided  by  a  few  outside  friends. 

Rev.  William  H.  Sybrandt,  a  graduate  of  Hartford  Seminary,  was  the  pastor 
from  June,  1879,  to  March,  1882. 

The  society  is  now  in  a  good  condition,  and  doing  an  aggressive  work.  It  is 
the  only  Presbyterian  church  in  this  section  of  the  city,  which  has  a*  population 
of  65,000  people,  a  large  number  of  whom  were  brought  up  in  this  denomination 
in  other  parts,  and  can  be  easier  reached  by  a  Presbyterian  than  any  other  church. 
Present  membership  about  125.  There  is  a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian 
Endeavor,  which  holds  prayer  meetings  every  week  and  a  sociable  every  month, 
also  doing  missionary  work  among  those  of  their  own  age  throughout  the  district. 

The  Sunday  School  is  in  an  active  and  growing  condition,  and  has  recently 
opened  a  library  of  500  volumes. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Acting  Pastor  :  Rev.  Wm.  G.  Barnes  ;  Elders  :  John 
Christie,  Robert  Gilchrist,  Samuel  Cully,  and  John  Gilchrist ;  Trustees  :  D.  E. 
Tait,  A.  Adamson,  James  Mclntyre,  R.  Gilchrist,  Andrew  Oman,  W.  C.  C.  Math- 
ews, Thos.  McKenzie,  John  Boyd,  J.  Gilchrist ;  Treasurer :  Samuel  Cully ;  Sec- 
retary :  T.  B.  Welch ;  Sunday  School  Superintendent :  John  Gilchrist. 


no  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  First  Presbyterian  Church, 

OF  EAST  BOSTON, 
Meridian,  Cor.  of  London  Streets. 


In  the  winter  of  1S53,  the  Rev.  A.  Blaikie,  pastor  of  the  First  Associate 
Reformed  Presbyterian  Cluirch  in  the  city  of  Boston,  leased  the  Webster  Street 
Church,  East  Jjoston,  for  one  year,  beginning  with  the  ist  of  April,  with  the  view 
of  establishing  in  this  part  of  the  city  regular  preaching  according  to  the  Presby- 
terian form.  Public  worship  was  commenced  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  April,  and 
continued  regularly  from  that  time  forward.  The  Rev.  George  C.  Arnold  was  the 
first  supply.  He  continued  for  several  months,  and  was  followed  by  the  Rev.  A. 
(i.  \\'allace,  who  continued  as  temporary  supply  until  late  in  the  fall  of  1S53. 
About  the  time  Mr.  Wallace  left,  a  petition  was  presented  to  the  Presbyter)'  of 
New  York  for  his  release  from  his  charge  in  Fall  River,  Mass.  The  application 
was  granted  ;  he  was  appointed  as  stated  supply,  and  commenced  preaching  in 
that  character  on  the  last  Sabbath  in  January,  1854.  During  the  year  1S53  finan- 
cial affiiirs  had  been  managed  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Blaikie  ;  but  at  the  beginning  of 
the  year  1854,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  that  department  of 
the  work.  A  roll  of  thirty-eight  members  was  formed  July  19th,  onl\-  one  of 
whom  remains,  viz.  :  E.  L.  McPherson ;  and  at  a  meeting  of  the  congregation 
heldAugus^i,  1S54,  a  code  of  by-laws  was  adopted,  and  in  accordance  there- 
with a  board  of  trustees  was  appointed,  who  were  :  James  Taylor,  James  McComb, 
\Vynne  Johnston,  James  McCloskey,  Robert  Langell ;  with  Lauchlan  McPherson, 
chairman,  and  Samuel  Ritchie,  treasurer  and  clerk. 

On  ^Vednesday  evening,  August  16,  1854,  the  church  was  formally  organized 
by  the  election  and  ordination  of  three  ruling  elders  :  Elijah  Moffat,  Hugh  Mc- 
Kay and  James  Douglass.  The  history  of  the  church  dates  v)roperly  from  that 
time.  A  call,  signed  by  109  persons,  was  given  to  the  Rev.  David  A.  Wallace ;  it 
was  accepted  by  him,  and  sustained  by  the  Presb3'tery  at  a  meeting  at  Fall  River; 
and  on  the  15th  of  November,  1854,  he  was  duly  installed  as  the  first  pastor  of 
the  church. 

The  attention  and  the  energies  of  the  youthful  enterprise  were  now  taxed  to 
secure  a  church  building.  At  a  meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees,  June  5,  1S55,  a 
committee  of  three  —  W.  Duncan,  J.  Currie,  and  Samuel  Ritchie,  —  was  ajjpointed, 


with  instructions  "to  inquire  about  a  suitable  lot  of  land,  and  ascertain  the  price, 
terms,  and  probable  cost  of  a  church."  On  June  12th,  that  committee  made  a 
jiartial  rejrart,  and  on  August  15th,  a  building  committee  was  appointed,  consist- 
ing of  John  Armstrong,  chairman,  Lauchlan  McPherson,  Thomas  Martin,  John 
Currie,  John  S.  Gordon,  A.  C.  Stewart  and  Samuel  B.  Cunningham,  whose  instruc- 
tions were,  "  'I'o  obtain  a  suitable  lot,  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for 
securing  it  for  a  Presbyterian  church  ;  to  contract  for,  and  have  built  thereon,  a 
meeting-house,  with  the  least  possible  delay,  and  to  draw  on  the  treasury  for  the 
necessary  funds  ;  provided  that  no  contracts  be  made  unless  there  be  a  reasonable 
prospect  that  the  money  required  will  be  in  the  treasury  at  the  time  appointed." 
The  committee  finally  decided  to  secure  the  lot  on  which  the  church  now  stands, 
and  the  purchase  was  made  from  General  W.  H.  Sumner  ;  the  lot  contained  4,400 
square  feet,  and  the  price  was  75  cents  a  foot,  making  a  sum  of  $3,300.  A  com- 
mittee of  three  was  named  to  receive  the  deed  of  the  land.  About  this  time 
$2,532  had  been  subscribed  towards  the  building  fund. 

The  possession  of  property  involved  the  necessity  of  an  organization  in  legal 
form,  and  it  became  necessary  .to  call  a  meeting  and  organize  a  religious  society, 
according  to  the  laws  of  the  State.  This  was  done,  and,  at  a  meeting  held  Octo- 
ber 16,  1855,  Benjamin  Pond  presiding,  the  Union  Presbyterian  Church  of  East 
Boston  was  formed  by  the  election  of  officers  and  the  adoption  of  a  code  of 
by-laws. 

On  Fast  Day,  .April  10,  1856,  the  congregation  first  met  in  the  vestry  of  the 
new  church  for  worship,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  it  was  formally 
opened  by  a  sermon  by  the  pastor.  The  cost  of  the  house,  leaving  the  main 
audience  room  unfinished,  was  $3,900. 

Some  time  in  the  year  1S56  the  session  of  the  church  was  enlarged  by  the 
addition  of  four  new  elders  :  John  Currie,  L.  McPherson,  A.  C.  Stewart,  and 
Samuel  Ritchie.  The  officers  and  committee  appointed  that  year  were  as  follows  : 
Moderator,  John  Currie  ;  Clerk,  E.  M.  McPherson ;  Treasurer  and  Collector, 
Samuel  Ritchie  ;  Assessors,  James  Reid  and  Duncan  R.  Miller ;  Standing  Com- 
mittee, A.  C.  Stewart,  Lauchlan  McPherson,  Samuel  Ritchie,  John  Armstrong, 
Thomas  Martin,  William  D.  Douglass  and  John  Currie. 

Tne  next  marked  stage  in  the  history  of  "  the  infant  and  struggling  chui-ch  " 
is  the  removal  of  the  pastor.  Rev.  D.  A.  Wallace.  He  accepted  a  call  to  the 
Presidency  of  Monmouth  College,  in  Illinois,  and  gave  himself  to  the  work  of 
building  up  an  institution  of  learning  in  that  rapidly  growing  State.  The  congre- 
gation accepted  his  resignation  with  deep  regret,  and  ])lace(l  on  record  an  address, 
in  which  testimony  is  borne  to  his  faithfulness  in  pulpit  and  pastoral  work,  and  to 
his  devotion  and  zeal  in  all  things  pertaining  to  the  ujjbuilding  of  the  church.  His 
resignation  was  accepted  by  the  Praesbytery  September  10,  1856. 


The  Rev.  H.  H.  Johnston  was  the  next  pastor.  His  installation  took  place 
January  29,  1857.  The  feeling  of  despondency  which  existed  during  the  four 
months'  vacancy,  passetl  away,  the  congregation  rallied  around  the  new  pastor, 
the  members  again  increased,  and  the  ecclesiastical  year  closed  amid  brightening 
prospects. 

The  next  important  ])hase  in  the  life  of  this  church  is  the  change  in  ecclesi- 
astical connections.  In  the  month  of  May,  1858,  the  General  Synod  of  the 
Associate  Reformed  Church  entered  into  a  xmion  with  another  body  of  Christians 
called  the  Associate  Church.  The  terms  of  the  basis  of  union  were  thought  by 
this  congregation  to  be  too  restricted ;  and  when,  at  the  direction  of  the  Presby- 
tery, the  matter  came  up  for  consideration,  it  was  decided  not  to  stand  with  the 
united  church.  April  27,  1S5S,  Rev.  H.  H.  Johnston  offered  to  his  Presbytery 
his  resignation  of  pastoral  charge,  on  the  ground  of  his  unwillingness  to  enter  the 
])roposed  union  on  the  atlopted  basis,  and  in  order  that  the  congregation  might  be 
free  to  decide  as  to  their  future  connection.  The  resignation  was  laid  on  the 
table  for  consideration.  The  whole  subject  of  the  pastor's  resignation  and  the 
postponed  union  was  carefully  considered  by  the  session,  and,  with  their  views  and 
recommendations,  was  brought  before  a  meeting  of  the  congregation  held  August 
24,  1858,  at  which  it  was  decided  to  withdraw  from  the  Associate  Reformed  Pres- 
bytery of  Boston,  and  to  appoint  Daniel  Gunn  as  commissioner  to  attend  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Presbytery  of  Boston,  and  inform  them  of  the  withdrawal,  and  of 
the  reasons  thereof,  and  to  unite  with  the  General  Asssembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  North  America  —  commonly  called  the  Old  School  Presbyterian 
Church  ;  it  being  relegated  to  the  session  of  the  church  to  decide  to  what  Pres- 
bytery of  that  body  it  would  be  most  proper  to  connect. 

In  accordance  with  the  al)ove  instructions,  Mr.  Gunn  laid  before  the  Presby- 
tery, at  a  meeting  held  September  8,  1858,  the  action  of  the  congregation,  and 
formally  withdrew  from  that  body.  The  pastor,  at  the  same  meeting,  was  dismissed, 
and  letters  of  ministerial  standing  were  granted.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Presbytery 
of  Londonderry,  held  at  AVindham,  N.  H.,  on  the  third  'Wednesday  of  October, 
the  congregation,  through  its  delegates,  asked  to  be  received,  was  cordially  wel- 
comed, and  taken  under  the  care  of  that  court.  At  the  time  of  the  union  of  the 
new  and  old  school  branches  in  1869,  the  name  of  the  Londonderry  Presbytery 
was  changed  to  that  of  the  Boston  Presbytery,  and  the  congregation  stands  still 
in  connection  with  that  Presbytery  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  U.  S.  A. 

This  change  in  ecclesiastical  relation,  thus  brought  about,  was  not  without 
opposition.  Certain  members  still  adhered  to  the  Associate  Reformed  Church, 
and  desired  to  enter  with  them  the  proposed  union.  The  deed  of  the  church 
l^roperty  was  drawn  in  the  name  of  the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  and  under 


THE  FIRST  PRESBTTERIAN  CHURCH,  EAST  BOSTON. 


113 


ordinary  circumstances  could  not  be  transferred  to  another  body.  When  the  con- 
gregation withdrew,  the  Presbytery  claimed  that  the  dissentient  members  were  the 
churcli,  and  that  to  them  the  property  belonged.  The  Rev.  Alex.  Blaikie  was 
instructed  to  declare  the  church  vacant.  At  the  time  appointed  for  service, 
the  church  was  found  locked,  and  the  formal  declaration  of  the  vacancy  of  the 
]nilpit  was  made  from  the  front  steps  by  the  Presbytery's  delegate.  This  treat- 
ment of  the  commissioner  and  the  general  course  of  the  congregation  were  made 
the  grounds  of  a  solemn  protest  drawn  out  at  length  and  presented  to  the  Boston 
Presbytery  by  Elijah  Moffat,  Hugh  McKay  and  Hugh  L.  S.  McKay.  The  paper 
was  discussed,  and  the  Rev.  A.  Blaikie  was  authorized  to  give  such  counsel  in 
relation  to  the  property  as  he  saw  fit.  Before,  however,  any  effective  step  could 
be  taken  in  the  civil  courts,  events  transpired  which  rendered  proceedings  in  that 
direction  unnecessary.  Financial  difficulties  had  gathered  about  the  congrega- 
tion. Unpaid  interest  on  the  mortgage  held  by  General  Sumner  had  accumulated, 
and  on  October  19th,  the  chairman  of  the  standing  committee  reports*'  that,  hav- 
ing made  every  exertion  to  raise  funds  personally,  and  by  circulars  sent  throughout 
the  Associate  Reformed  Church  at  large,  the  committee  had  failed  to  comply  with 
tlie  terms  of  the  mortgage,  and  that  consecjuently  General  Sumner  had  taken  pos- 
session of  the  property,  and  sold  it  at  public  auction.  Mr.  Samuel  McWilliam  was 
the  i)urchaser.  By  this  sale  all  previous  claimants  were  set  aside,  and,  after  nego- 
tiation with  Mr.  McWilliam,  the  property  came  back  again  with  complete  title 
into  the  hands  of  the  congregation.  The  dissentients  were  advised  by  their  Pres- 
bytery to  connect  themselves  with  the  First  Church  in  Boston,  and  thus  that  series  of 
difficulties  came  to  an  end. 

An  enlargement  of  the  session  at  this  stage  became  desirable.  Elders 
McKay  and  Moffat  were  now  in  connection  with  the  First  United  Presbyterian 
Churcli.  James  Douglass  had,  in  the  autumn  of  1857,  returned  to  his  former 
home  in  Prince  Edward's  Island,  where  he  died  in  the  following  March,  leaving 
behind  him  the  fragrance  of  an  honored  name.  John  Currie  and  Samuel 
Ritchie  had  removed  to  Illinois ;  and  A.  C.  Stewart  had  also  disappeared 
from  the  record.  In  January,  1S59,  Mr.  Gunn  sat  with  Mr.  McPherson  and 
the  i)astor  as  the  sole  members  of  the  session.  On  the  6th  of  July  of 
that  year,  Joseph  Irving  and  John  Armstrong  were  elected,  and  on  the  3d 
of  August  ordained,  to  the  office  of  the  eldership  according  to  the  forms  of  the 
cliurch. 

Hitherto  the  name  borne  by  the  church  had  been  the  Second  Associate 
Reformed  Church,  East  Boston  ;  but  after  much  consideration  and  frequent  delays, 
it  was  voted  by  the  congregation,  July  17,  i860,  that  the  name  be  changed  to 
that  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  East  Boston,  which  designation  it  still 
bears. 


Up  to  this  time  services  had  been  conducted  in  the  vestry,  the  main  aiuH- 
ence  room  remaining  unfinished.  In  this  year,  i860,  the  building  was  completed, 
and  on  May  6th  was  formally  dedicated  to  the  service  of  God. 

j\Ir.  Johnston's  pastorate  closed  in  1861.  At  a  meeting  held  on  June  5th  of 
that  }'ear,  he  requested  that  the  church  should  join  with  him  in  asking  the  Pres- 
bytery to  dissolve  the  pastoral  relation ;  stating,  that  the  only  reason  he  would 
give  at  Presbytery  for  such  a  request,  was  that  he  had  received  a  call  from  a 
church  in  Hastings,  N.  Y.,  and,  at  the  same  time,  expressing  his  deep  interest  in 
the  church,  and  his  warm  attachment  to  the  people.  It  was  voted,  with 
many  complimentary  expessions  of  regret,  that  the  request  be  granted.  The 
Presbytery  accepted  his  resignation,  declared  the  pulpit  vacant,  and  on  June 
9th  Mr.  Johnston  preached  his  farewell  sermon,  and  left  for  his  new  field  of 
labor. 

During  the  subsequent  fourteen  months,  the  church  remained  without  a  pas- 
tor, during  which  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  different  clergymen,  and,  for  about 
seven  months  statedly,  by  the  Rev,  R.  A.  Delancy.  The  years  of  Mr.  Johnston's 
ministry  and  the  time  of  the  vacancy  which  succeeded,  may  be  set  down  as  a 
period  of  special  trial.  Even  yet  men  recall  the  financial  crash  of  1857  with  a 
shudder.  The  years  of  business  depression  which  preceded  and  followed  that 
crisis,  bore  heavily  on  all  sections  and  classes.  The  principal  industry  of  East 
Boston  —  ship-building  —  was  almost  destroyed,  the  ship-yards  were  silent,  and 
many  of  the  residents  scattered.  The  church  was  depleted  in  numbers  and 
threatened  with  total  collapse.  But  the  few  who  remained  struggled  heroically 
with  the  difficulties.  It  is  really  touching  to  recall  the  efforts  made  during  those 
years  to  meet  the  financial  requirements.  Members  of  the  standing  committee 
took  their  turns  in  cleaning  and  caring  for  the  church.  Pew  rents  were  put  as 
high  as  the  case  would  bear,  and  special  collections  taken  as  often  as  any  response 
could  be  expected.  Special  collectors  were  appointed  in  special  emergencies. 
Notes  were  given  and  money  borrowed  to  pay  the  pastor.  Aid  was  sought  in  the 
city  and  abroad,  by  circular  and  by  personal  application.  Appeal  was  made  to 
the  Home  Misson  Board  ;  to  the  Presbytery ;  to  the  Synod ;  and  a  delegate  sent 
to  present  the  claims  of  the  church  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia.  Committees 
were  appointed  by  Presbytery  and  Synod  to  co-operate  and  aid.  The  threat  of 
the  sheriff's  hammer  was  over  the  property.  At  one  meeting  some  would  think 
it  best  to  allow  the  property  to  be  sold  ;  while  the  majority  would  think  it  was 
wisest  to  meet  the  interest  this  once,  in  the  hope  that  a  more  favorable  disposition 
of  the  building  could  be  made,  or  that  help  might  come.  The  failure  of  a  si)ec- 
ial  committee  would  result  in  the  call  of  the  standing  committee  —  the  helpless- 
ness of  the  standing  committee  would  result  in  a  congregational  meeting.  The 
meeting  would  end  in  a  special  collection  for  the  last  time  —  and  these  processes 


THE  FIRST  PliESBTTElilAN  CHURCH.  EAST  BOSTOX.         I  15 

were  repeated  and  tliese  last  efforts  were  made  over  and  over  again,  until  the 
"  darkest  hour  "  was  passed  and  the  light  began  to  dawn. 

The  names  of  the  prominent  workers  of  this  period  are  :  Messrs.  ]ohn  Cur- 
rie,  Samuel  Ritchie,  L.  McPherson,  John  I.  Anderson,  ^\'m.  D.  Douglass,  James 
Reid,  v..  M.  McPherson,  Daniel  Gunn,  John  Armstrong,  Joseph  Irving,  Chas.  L. 
Fraser,  James  E.  McPherson,  John  Wright,  Joseph  IJreckenridge,  James  Frame 
Reuben  Crooke,  and  William  K.  Crosby.  Of  these,  Messrs.  Ritchie,  Fraser, 
J.  K.  McPherson,  L.  McPherson  and  Anderson,  have  gone  to  their  rest; 
and  Messrs.  Currie,  Wm.  D.  Douglass,  D.  Ciunn,  Armstrong,  Crosby,  Irving, 
and  W^right,  have  removed  to  other  fields  of  labor ;  while  the  rest  remain. 
All  honor  to  the  noble  few,  recognized  or  unrecognized,  who  "  held  the  fort "  for 
Christ  in  those  trying  times. 

In  the  summer  of  1862  a  movement  took  place  which  relieved  the  financial 
pressure  and  changed  the  complexion  of  the  congregation.  A  number  of  persons 
came  from  the  Maverick  Congregational  Church  and  connected  themselves  with 
the  congregation,  making  an  important  acquisition  in  standing,  character  and 
piety.  »  "They  came,"  as  the  records  state,  ''  in  good  faith,  to  be  co-laborers  on 
equal  footing,  desiring  to  advance  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer,  by  supporting  a 
true  Presbyterian  church  with*the  faith  of  John  Knox  and  the  pious  Alexanders." 
A  call  was  soon  after  given  to  Rev.  T.  N.  Haskell,  and  by  him  accepted.  The 
installation  took  place  on  the  3d  of  December,  1862.  On  March  29,  1863,  John 
Howe  and  John  L.  Stewart  were  elected  Ruling  Elders,  and  James  Reid,  D.  C. 
Ryder,  George  Sherman  and  Jacob  Auld,  Deacons.  Thus  reinforced  and  sup- 
ported on  all  sides,  the  congregation  moved  on  in  a  kind  of  surface  prosperity. 

But  the  sky  soon  darkened.  The  church,  born  in  adversity  and  cradled  in 
weakness,  was  yet  destined  to  other  trials.  Lack  of  harmony  soon  began  to 
appear,  the  cause  of  which  it  is  hard  to  state,  but  the  sad  results  of  which  were 
by  and  by  made  manifest.  Speaking  generally,  healthy  church  life  must  be  a 
growth.  An  active  nucleus  must  attract  its  congenial  elements  to  itself  by  a  pro- 
cess of  natural  selection.  A  large  and  sudden  increase  always  renders  critical  the 
course  of  accretion  and  incorporation.  The  progress  of  society  is  attained  by  the 
operation  of  two  opposing  tendencies,  the  progressi\'e  and  the  conservative  ;  one 
class  of  men,  from  constitutional  temperament  and  training,  being  inclined  to  go 
too  fast,  and  the  other  too  slow.  \\t  trace  these  tendencies  in  the  history  of 
church  and  state  —  in  connection  with  reform  in  political  abuses,  in  the  traditions 
which  have  obscured  the  truth  of  God,  and  in  the  changing  forms  of  worship. 
The  late  accessions,  from  past  associations  and  education,  decidedly  reinforced 
the  liberal  side.  The  new  acquisition  became  also,  to  a  considerable  degree,  a 
controling  and  moulding  element,  and  how  fer  precisely  this  was  a  welcome  fact 
may  be  questioned.     Combining  the  force  of  these  statements  gives  the  ground 


■■■■BBSsnnai 


116  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

cause  of  the  coming  disturbance.  The  occasion  was  not  hard  to  find.  The  pos- 
ture in  prayer  and  praise,  the  kind  of  liymns  in  prayer  meeting,  the  use  of  instru- 
ment, the  relation  of  Sabbath  School  to  church  ;  these  and  other  matters  became 
sources  of  discord.  The  friction  increased,  parties  were  formed,  the  breach 
widened  more  and  more,  and  the  authority  of  Presbytery  called  to  consider  the 
case,  was  powerless  to  heal  the  strife. 

On  the  19th  of  April,  1864,  apphcation  was  made  to  the  United  Presyterian 
Presbytery  of  Boston  by  Samuel  McWilliam,  aud  thirty-two  others,  formerly  iu 
connection  with  this  congregation,  for  church  organization  in  connection  with  that 
body,  and  for  supply  of  preaching.  Accortiingly,  a  short  time  after,  the  Second 
United  Presbyterian  Church  of  East  Boston  was  formed  by  the  admission  of 
twenty-seven  members,  and  the  election  and  installation  of  Daniel  (iunn  and 
James  Reid  as  elders.  The  new  congregation  worshiped  in  Bennington  Hall  for 
nearly  nine  years;  had  encouraging  congregations  and  a  flourishing  Sabbath 
School.  They  had  two  pastors.  Rev.  Mr.  Hall  and  Rev.  G.  M.  Clark.  But  the 
church  met  with  difficulties  and  was  formally  dissolved  by  their  Presbytery  on 
April  10,  1873.  jSIany  of  the  members  joined  this  church,  and  were  w^elcome 
accessions.  Others,  on  account  of  past  stormy  memories,  feeling  that  they  could 
not  worship  with  us  i)rofitably,  have  located  themseiV'es  in  other  churches,  while 
a  few  remained  without  a  regular  church  home. 

Weakened  by  this  defection,  the  church  again  rallied  for  the  work,  and  for  a 
time  the  course  of  events  was  quieUy  forward.  In  1866  the  congregation  sus- 
tained the  loss  of  three  of  its  prominent  workers.  Elder  Stewart,  Clerk  of  Session, 
removed  to  Philadelphia ;  Deacon  Jacob  Auld  died  at  Savannah,  Ga.  ;  L. 
McPherson  was  also  called  away  by  death.  He  was  identified  with  the  church 
from  the  beginning,  was  elected  to  office  under  the  ministry  of  the  first  pastor. 
Rev.  D.  A.  Wallace,  stood  faithfully  at  his  post  through  darkest  days,  helped  to 
bear  its  heaviest  burdens,  and  died  the  Christian's  death. 

Again  new  cause  of  disturbance  began  to  appear.  This  time  the  difficulty 
arose  in  connection  with  the  pastoral  relation.  An  imhappy  difference  arose 
between  the  pastor  and  a  large  section  of  the  congregation,  which,  working  on 
through  the  summer  of  1866,  finally  culminated,  in  the  autumn,  in  a  letter  from 
the  Session,  asking  INIr.  Haskell  to  resign  his  charge.  On  Sunday,  October  14, 
1866,  he  preached  his  last  sermon  in  this  church,  and  indicated  his  readiness  to 
retire.  The  congregation  agreetl  to  the  separation,  the  Presbytery  dissolved  the  tie, 
declared  the  pulpit  vacant,  and  this  exciting  and  stormy  pastorate  came  to  an  end. 

After  this  the  Session  was  reinforced  by  electing  to  the  office  of  the 
Eldership,  David  C.  Irving  and  E.  M.  McPherson.  These  brethren  were  installed 
on  October  28,  1866,  and  rendered  effective  service  to  the  church  in  that  position 
of  trust  and  honor. 


Of  the  exact  membership  at  any  one  time  there  is  no  record.  *  During  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Wallace  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  were  received.  At  the 
close  of  Mr.  Johnston's,  ninety-eight  additional  had  been  added,  and  at  the  time 
of  Mr.  Haskell's  resignation,  one  hundred  more,  or  three  hundred  and  twenty- 
one  in  all.  In  October,  1866,  after  removing  from  the  roll  all  who  had  died, 
remoNcd,  or  changed  church  connection,  there  remained  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  in  the  regular  communion. 

The  next  pastor  was  the  Rev.  M*.  Ayres  l^epue.  He  was  a  graduate  of 
Princeton  Seminary.  This  was  his  first  pastoral  charge.  He  commenced  his 
labors  as  stated  supply,  on  April  21,  1867,  and  was  ordained  and  installed  pastor 
on  July  nth.  The  ministry  of  Mr.  Depue  was  short  and  quiet,  extending  a  little 
over  a  year,  during  which  time  nine  persons  were  added  to  the  church.  He  left 
early  in  the  autumn  of  1868,  and  has  since  passed  from  earth  to  heaven. 

The  ser\ices  of  Rev.  E.  P.  Ackerman,  of  Hughsonville,  N.  Y.,  were  next 
secured  as  stated  supply,  his  regular  work  beginning  December  i,  1S68.  The 
winter  of  1 869  will  long  be  remembered  as  one  of  the  best  the  churches  of  East 
Boston  have  yet  seen.  Great  success  visited  this  community  in  connection  with 
the  visit  of  Rev.  Mr.  Earle,  the  evangelist.  Union  meetings  were  held,  the  Divine 
power  was  present  to  convince  and  convert,  and  great  grace  was  upon  all  the 
churches.  Mr.  Ackerman's  peculiar  talent  found  field  for  active  exercise  amid  the 
revival  scenes  of  that  time,  and  he  welcomed  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church 
large  numbers  of  those  whose  consistent  lives  proved  the  genuineness  of  their 
conversion  to  God.  Twenty-five  persons  were  received  into  the  church  by  pro- 
fession, and  eight  by  letter,  during  that  pastorate. 

On  June  6,  1869,  the  Sesssion  was  enlarged  by  the  installation  of  W.  K. 
Crosby,  James  Frame,  and  Joseph  Breckenridge,  as  ruling  elders.  Mr.  Crosby 
shordy  afterwards  resigned  the  active  duties  of  the  office. 

Mr.  Ackerman  was  not  regularly  installed  pastor.  In  the  summer  of  1S69, 
finding  that  his  strength  was  not  sufficient  for  the  field,  he  took  leave  of  the  con- 
gregation, and  returned  to  his  home  in  Hughsonville,  N.  Y. 

At  a  congregational  meeting  held  on  January  19,  1870,  it  was  decided  to  call 
the  Rev.  James  Richards,  D.  D.  The  call  was  accordingly  given,  and  the  instal- 
ation  took  place  February  9th.  The  preaching  of  the  new  minister  was  powerful, 
and  the  congregation  greatly  revived.  The  one  event  which  stands  out  most  prom- 
inently in  the  pastorate  of  Dr.  Richards,  is  the  burning  of  the  church  edifice. 
On  the  25th  of  July,  1870,  a  fire  broke  out  on  Border  street,  and,  sweeping  east^ 
ward,  destroyed  much  \aluable  property,  among  which  was  the  Baptist  house  of 
worship  ;  it  caught  the  '•  White  Church,"  and  soon  the  precious  sanctuary,  with 
its  beauty  and  its  wealth  of  sacred  associations,  the  purchase  of  so  much  toil, 
gifts,  tears,  and  prayers,  was  a  mass  of  smouldering  rums.     But  little  of  the  furni- 


118  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 

tare  was  saved,  and  the  church  was  homeless.  After  paying  debts  there  remained 
to  the  congregation  the  insurance  of  $3,000  or  $4,000,  and  the  lot  valued  at 
$7,000  or  $8,000.  The  (luestion  now  to  be  decided  was,  whether  to  disband  and 
unite  with  other  churches,  or  to  maintain  the  distinct  historic  organization.  The 
offers  of  hospitality  so  kindly  presented  from  the  sister  churches  were  declined, 
and  it  was  dt^termined  to  worship  meanwhile  in  what  is  known  as  "  Reed's"  Hall, 
and  to  proceed  at  once  to  erect  on  the  old  site  a  substantial  brick  edifice,  to  cost 
about  $25,000.  Liberal  subscriptions  were  made  by  members,  and  some  aid  was 
received  from  friends  beyond  the  congregation.  A  building  committee,  consisting 
of  Joseph  Breckenridge,  F].  M.  McPherson,  James  Frame,  D.  C.  Irving,  C.  P. 
Jameson,  E.  D.  Leighton,  AV.  H.  Wilson,  John  C.  Frame,  and  Robert  Crosbie,  super- 
intended the  work,  and  carried  it  forward  to  satisfactory  completion.  The 
property  was  mortgaged  for  $12,000,  besides  which  there  was  contracted  a  float- 
ing debt  of  about  $5,000,  in  all  about  $17,000.  During  a  part  of  the  summer  of 
1 87 1  services  were  held  in  the  vestry,  and  on  Sunday,  November  5th,  of  that 
year,  the  new  church,  being  completed,  was  dedicated  with  appropriate  services. 

On  the  day  of  dedication  Dr.  Richards  intimated  his  intention  of  resigning 
his  charge,  and  took  leave  of  the  congregation.  The  people,  to  whom  he  had 
endeared  himself  by  many  noble  qualities,  parted  from  him  with  much  sorrow. 
After  a  short  ministry  in  Charleston,  West  Virginia,  and  while  traveling  in  Great 
Britain,  he  met  his  death  by  a  railway  acccident  in  the  city  of  Edinburgh,  in  1875. 

A  vacancy  of  six  months  then  occurred,  after  which  the  Rev.  Edward 
Annand  was  called  from  Halifax,  N.  S.,  and  commenced  his  regular  ministry 
]\Iay  12,  1872.  The  installation  took  place  October  22d  of  that  year.  The  period 
of  his  ministry  was  one  of  encouraging  prosperity,  llie  congregations  largely 
increased,  and  many  new  members  were  added.  Among  the  many  excellent 
spiritual  guides  with  which  this  society  of  Christians  has  been  favored,  no  one 
deserves  more  honorable  mention  than  he,  or  endeared  himself  more  to  the  mem- 
bers.    He  died  in  January,  18 78. 

In  April  of  this  year  the  twenty-fifth  anniversary  of  the  formation  of  the 
church  was  celebrated  by  apjoropriate  services.  Among  other  observances  a 
social  reunion  was  held  at  the  church  on  Thursday  evening,  .April  4th. 

The  pulpit  was  supplied  during  the  summer  of  this  year  by  Rev.  Francis  E. 
Marsten  who  was  installed  as  pastor,  October,  1878,  and  continued  in  that  office 
till  June,  1882. 

The  Sabbath  School  has  always  been  an. important  part  of  the  church's 
work.  The  records  of  this  department  are  exceedingly  scanty,  but  some  are  avail- 
able. Mr.  John  Currie  was  the  first  superintendent,  and  the  school,  during  those 
first  years,  numbered  from  thirty-five  to  fifty.  He  was  succeeded  by  Mr.  L. 
McPherson,  and  he  by  Mr.  Daniel  Gunn.     Mr.   Gunn  was   superintendent  from 


THE  FIRST  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH,  EAST  BOSTON.         119 


1859  to  1864.  During  this  period  the  school  reached  the  respectable  number  of 
281  scholars,  and  35  teachers.  Elder  Howe  next  held  the  position,  and  dis- 
charged the  duties  with  sound  judgment  and  substantial  thoroughness.  After  him 
in  the  list  is  Elder  McPherson,  and  following  him  Elder  Breckenridge.  The 
school  did  not  for  a  considerable  length  of  time  entirely  recover  from  the  deple- 
tion made  by  the  Bennington  Hall  di\ison.  Then,  when  the  new  church  was  in 
course  of  erection,  and  the  congregation  worshiped  in  "  Reed's  Hall,"  the  effec- 
tive forces  were  to  some  extent  scattered,  and  the  work  of  the  school  disturbed. 
It  was  not  until  the  congregation  had  entered  the  new  sanctuary,  that  decided  and 
rapid  progress  was  made  in  numbers  and  efficiency.  At  this  point,  under  the 
leadership  of  Mr.  W.  K.  Crosby,  the  school  reached  its  maximum  of  500.  That 
prosperity  was  due  partially  to  a  combination  of  favoring  circumstances,  but  cer- 
tainly, not  in  a  small  degree  to  the  zeal,  tact,  devotion  and  courteous  and  dignified 
bearing  of  Mr.  Crosby;  and  when  in  October,  of  1874,  he  removed  to  Provi- 
dence, the  church  felt  that  it  had  lost  a  valuable  worker  and  the  school  an 
honored  leader.  His  steady  support  in  the  dark  and  stormy  years  long  gone,  his 
generous  gift  of  $500  when  the  church  lay  in  ashes,  and  his  devoted  labors  in  the 
Sabbath  School  and  in  other  departments  of  work,  deserve  distinct  record  and 
grateful  remembrance  and  acknowledgement. 

He  was  succeeded  in  office  by  Mr.  E.  M.  McPherson,  to  whose  generosity, 
business  tact,  and  untiring  industry,  the  school  owes  a  large  measure  of  its 
efficiency.  He  was  succeeded  in  office  by  Reuben  Crooke,  and  he  by  Joseph 
Breckenridge ;  at  present  Mr.  McPherson  is  again  superintendent.  It  would  be 
invidious  to  mention  other  names  from  the  noble  band  of  officers  and  teachers 
who  through  the  past  have  wrought,and  still  labor  in  this  department.  They  have 
done  and  are  still  doing  a  noble  work. 

The  present  pastor  (Ma)',  1883,)  is  the  Rev.  John  L.  Scott,  formerly  located 
at  Matteawan,  N.  Y.  The  membership  numbers  265.  The  church  incurred  a 
large  debt  when  their  new  house  was  built,  which  has  been  a  great  burden  to 
them.  Recently  a  grand  effort  was  made  to  pay  off  the  debt,  and  it  proved  suc- 
cessful, as  the  whole  sum  needed  ($16,000)  is  pledged  to  be  paid  within  one  year. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  John  L.  Scott ;  Ruling  Elders  and  Dea- 
cons :  John  Howe,  David  C.  Irving,  E.  IVI.  McPherson,  James  Frame,  Joseph 
Breckenridge,  Reuben  Crooke,  Robert  Ross,  Archibald  Hunter,  William  Parks ; 
Treasurer :  Franklin  C.  Irving ;  Superintendent  of  Sunday  School :  E.  M. 
McPherson. 


CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


The  First  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 

Ferdinand  Street,  Corner  Isabella. 


The  First  Reformed  Presbyterian  congregation  of  Boston  is  in  ecclesiastical 
connection  witli  tlie  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  in  North 
America ;  and  is  under  the  care  of  the  New  York  Presbytery. 

A  family  of  co\-enanters  from  the  north  of  Ireland  located  in  Boston,  May, 
1849.  After  remaining,  without  finding  any  church  of  their  own  denomination, 
for  nearly  four  years,  they  invited  the  Rev.  Andrew  Stevenson,  of  New  York  City, 
to  come  and  preach  to  them  one  Sabbath.  The  services  were  held  in  Cochituate 
Hall,  Tremont  street,  where  Houghton's  dry  goods  store  now  stands.  He  gave 
so  favorable  an  account  to  the  Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting,  May  20,  1S53,  that 
it  commissioned  him  to  return  some  time  during  the  summer  and  organize  them 
into  a  fellowship  or  prayer  meeting. 

At  their  first  meeting  there  were  present  only  five  communicants.  The 
organization  of  this  fellowship  meeting  took  place  in  an  upper  room  in  56  Salem 
street.  So  encouraging  were  their  condition  and  prospects,  that  at  the  meeting 
of  the  Presbytery,  in  New  York,  October  11,  1 85 3,  they  were  recognized  as  a 
mission  station,  and  arrangements  were  made  to  supply  them  with  regular 
])reaching. 

On  July  II,  1854,  a  commission  of  the  Presbytery  organized  them  into  a 
congregation,  with  twenty  members,  two  ruling  elders,  and  one  deacon.  The 
elders  were,  ^Villiam  Warnock,  Jr.,  and  William  S.  Warnock  ;  and  the  deacon, 
William  Warnock,  Sen. 

They  continued  to  receive  supplies  until  November  21,  1856,  when  the  Rev. 
James  Reed  Lawson,  of  Southstream,  New  Brunswick,  was  settled  over  them  as 
pastor.  This  relation  continued  but  ten  months,  being  dissolved  September  23, 
1857,  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Lawson's  resigning,  in  order  to  return  to  his  former 
charge. 

They  remained  a  vacancy,  receiving  supj)lies  as  Presbytery  could  furnish 
them,  until  July  12,  i860,  when  the  Rev.  William  Graham,  their  present  pastor, 
was  settled  over  them.     At  the  time  of  his  coming  among  them,   the   inunber  of 


THE  FIRST  REFORMED   PRESBYTERIAN   CHURCH.  I 


21 


communicants  was  thirty-one.  There  was  a  slow  but  steady  increase  until  1870, 
when  they  numbered  one  hundred  and  sixty-two.  On  the  21st  of  November  of 
this  year,  thirty-one  left  to  form  the  Second  Reformed  Presbyterian  congregation 
of  the  city. 

After  the  separation,  the  increase  continued  till  1875,  when  they  numbered 
two  hundred  and  forty-eight.  Owing  to  the  business  depression  which  then  and 
subsequently  prevailed,  many  were  compelled  to  leave  the  city,  to  seek  employ- 
ment elsewhere;  so  that  in  1879  they  were  reduced  to  one  hundred  and 
ninety-four. 

Since  then  there  has  been  some  little  increase,  the  present  membership  being 
two  hundred  and  thirty-one  ;  with  six  ruling  elders  and  eight  deacons.  On  April 
30,  1872,  they  purchased  a  lot  on  the  corner  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  streets, 
on  which  they  subsequently  erected  their  house  of  worship.  The  lot,  building 
and  furnishing,  cost  a  little  over  $63,000.  The  corner-stone  was  laid  October  15, 
1873,  and  the  first  services  were  held  in  the  lecture-room  February  15th,  1874, 
and  the  church  was  completed  and  dedicated  September  loth,  of  the  same  year. 
There  is  a  debt  of  $24,000  still  remaining  on  the  building,  which  they  are  endeav- 
oring to  liquidate.     One-third  of  the  above  amount  is  already  pledged. 

P>om  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  it  was  about  twenty-one  years  from  the 
first  preaching  until  they  entered  the  lecture-room  of  their  church,  dviring  the 
whole  of  which  time  they  held  their  services  in  halls. 

Their  distinguishing  characteristic  is  their  clinging  tenaciously  and  affection- 
ately to  the  principles  and  usages  adopted  and  practiced  by  the  Presbyterian 
church  of  Scotland,  at  the  time  of  the  second  Reformation.  From  their  loyal 
adherence  to  the  principles  contained  in  the  National  covenant  of  Scotland,  and 
the  solemn  league  and  covenant  of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland,  they  have 
long  been  designated  by  the  term  "  Covenanters." 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  William  Graham  ;  Elders  :  William  War- 
nock,  John  Calderwood,  James  Mullan,  Wm.  H.  Warnock,  Samuel  McDowell, 
John  Leitch  ;  Deacons  :  Johnston  Leitch,  Alexander  McKay,  Roderick  McDon- 
ald, Andrew  Maclam,  Alexander  Fullerton,  Wm.  H.  Monroe,  George  E.  Elder, 
Wm.  H.  McMaster. 


^*5^jt«>. 


122  CHURCHES    OF    BOSTON. 


Second  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 

33  Chambers  Street. 


This  church  was  organized  November  21,  1871,  by  commission  of  the  New 
York  Presbytery,  according  to  the  forms  of  the  Presbyterian  church  order.  It 
was  a  branch  of  the  First  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  whose  house  of  wor- 
ship is  now  located  on  the  corner  of  Ferdinand  and  Isabella  streets.  There  were 
originally  thirty  members  ;  but  though  so  few  in  numbers  they  maintained  their 
organization  from  the  first  without  aid  from  the  Home  Mission  Board.  Soon  after 
their  organization  they  .extended  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Thos.  M.  Elder,  of  Dayton, 
Pa.,  to  become  their  pastor.  This  call  was  declined.  Subsequently  they  extended 
a  call  to  the  Rev.  David  McFall,  of  Oil  City,  Pa.,  which  was  accepted,  and  on 
the  nth  of  July,  1873,  he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  congregation.  The  rela- 
tionship then  formed  still  (1883)  continues. 

During  the  first  eight  years  of  their  existence  the  congregation  worshiped  in 
hired  halls  in  the  city  of  Boston.  The  lack  of  a  church  building  of  their  own 
subjected  them  to  many  inconveniences,  besides  materially  retarding  their  growth 
as  a  society.  In  October,  1879,  a  church  building  was  purchased  for  ^20,000. 
Of  this  amount  ^15,000  has  been  paid;  the  remaining  $5,000  still  rests  as  an 
incumbrance  on  the  society.  The  church  is  situated  on  Chambers  street,  between 
Green  and  Cambridge  streets,  and  was  formerly  occupied  by  the  congregation- 
alists. 

The  present  membership  is  one  hundred  and  twelve.  The  growth  of  the 
church  has  not  been  rapid,  though  continuous  ;  an  average  of  a  little  more  than 
thirteen  being  added  annually  to  the  membership.  In  later  years  the  increase  has 
been  larger  than  formerly,  and  with  the  reduction  of  the  indebtedness  comes  an 
opportunity  for  enlarged  aggressive  work.  There  is  also  a  Sabbath  School  in  con- 
nection with  the  church,  attended  by  the  youth  of  the  congregation  and  by  others 
from  the  immediate  vicinity.  The  average  annual  contributions  of  the  church  to 
all  religious  purposes  exceeds  $4,000. 

Church  Officers  :  —  Pastor  :  Rev.  David  McFall ;  Elders  :  James  McClos- 
key,  Thos.  K.  Semple,  John  Greer,  Robert  Oliver ;  Deacons  :  Thos.  McCloskey, 
John  Adam,  E.  W.  Spragg. 


INDEX. 


BAPTIST    CHURCHES. 

PAGE. 

Baptist  Bethel  Chuixh, 74 

Bowdoin  Square  Church,  ...-----.         --24 

Brighton  Avenue  Church,  ------------40 

Bunker  Hill  Church,         .         .         -         - 72 

Central  Square  Church,  East  Boston, 66 

Charles  Street  Church,     ---.--------.20 

Clarendon  Street  Church,    ----- -9 

Dearborn  Street  Church, 80 

Dudley  Street  Church, -         -     89 

First  Baptist  Church,         ...---------  5 

First  Baptist  Church,  Charlestown  District.      --------41 

First  German  Church,      --.---------81 

First  Free  Baptist  Churcli. 99 

Fourth  Street  Church,  South   Boston,     --- 82 

Harvard  Street  Church.        ------------59 

Jamaica  Plain  Church.      ---------*---         62 

Neponset  Avenue  Church, 7' 

Roslindale  Church, 88 

Ruggles  Street  Church, ^9 

South  Baptist  Church, .'54 

Stoughton  Street  Church.    -- "5 

Trinity  Church,  East  Boston,  -----------73 

Union  Temple  Church,        ------------47 

Warren  Avenue  Church, ------         10 

(COLORED.) 

Day-Star  Church, 97 

Ebenezer  Church,     .         -         ,         -         - 9^ 

Independent  Church,  -------------  97 

Twelfth  Church, 9^ 

PRESBYTERIAN    CHURCHES. 

First  Presbyterian  Church, io4 

First  Presbyterian  Church,  East  Boston, "o 

First  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  - i-^o 

Fourth  Presbyterian  Church, i°9 

Second  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church, 122 

Springfield  Street  Presbyterian  Church, loi 

Addendum, '^ 


ADDENDUM. 


The  Bethel  Church. —  \\'ith  regard  to  the  Bethel  cause  in  Boston,  the 
name  of  the  Rev.  C.  ^X.  Denison  should  be  mentioned  as  the  pioneer  worker. 
He  began  Bethel  work  in  the  city  some  two  years  before  Mr.  Stowe,  but  from 
some  cause,  did  not  continue  it. 

The  names  of  Ir\'ing  O.  Whiting,  and  Frank  E.  James — the  latter  as  Secre- 
tary— were  added  to  the  Bethel  Board,  since  that  portion  of  the  work  went  to 
press.     Both  of  these  names  are  from  the  First  Baptist  Church. 

Those  also  of  Miss  M.  V.  Ball,  for  30  years  the  President  of  the  Ladies' 
Bethel  Society,  and  of  Mrs.  Newman,  the  present  President  of  the  same  ;  together 
with  that  of  Austin  S.  Hawley,  the  late  Secretary  of  the  Bethel  Board,  are  most 
justly  entitled  to  be  placed  on.  record. 


Boston  &  Providence  Railroad, 


SHORE  LINE  ROUTE! 


H 


Trains   leave   Boston   and    Providence   Railroad   Station   at 

8.00  A.  M„    1.00  P.  M.  AND  10,30  P.  M. 

Wagner's  Drawing-Room  Cars 

ON    1.00    P.   M.    TRAIN. 

Wagner's    Sleeping    Cars 


ON    10.30    P.    M.    TRAIN. 


■^  For  full    information   apply    to 

J.     W.    RICHARDSON,     AGENT, 

CORNER  WASHINGTON  AND  STATE  STREETS, 

And   at    the    (Railroad    Station^  foot   (Boston    Common. 

A.  A.   FOLSOM,   SUPT. 


The  Emerson  Piano, 

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■MANUFACTURERS  OF- 


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MATTER  EACH   WEEK. 


Dear  Friend  : 

You  will  have  noted  that  the  senior  of  our  Denominational  press  has  inaugurated 
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BW4204.8.B7P6 

History  of  the  churches  of  Boston, 

Princeton  Theological  Seminary  -Speer  Library 


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